Budget contains $2.2 million for rabies eradication program

Rick Woodford, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, said that Budget 2003 contains $2.2 million to carry out the rabies eradication program on the Northern Peninsula. This is in addition to the $300,000 in the 2002-03 fiscal year for the rabies program.

Minister Woodford said various government departments and agencies have been working diligently in addressing the rabies outbreak on the Northern Peninsula, using a series of control measures such as providing medical services to anyone who may have been exposed to infected animals, conducting a public education program, pet vaccination, trapping in at-risk areas, vaccination of at-risk employees, and surveillance in all areas for further suspect animals.

"After following through with our immediate control measures and receiving advice from a rabies expert, our next prudent step was to initiate a large scale eradication program, which involves using baits to vaccinate wild animals against the disease. This aspect of the program is now underway on the Northern Peninsula," said Minister Woodford.

The minister stated that $2.2 million for a rabies eradication program demonstrates government�s commitment to protecting the public and animals from harmful diseases such as rabies.

To date, three rabies cases have been confirmed in St. Paul�s and one in Jackson�s Arm.

Media contact: Sonia B. Glover, Communications, (709) 729-6183.

2003 03 27                                        4:15pm