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By Quentin Casey, Canadaeast News Service

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The province is expanding its rabies control program along the U.S. border, in response to an increasing number of rabies cases in neighbouring Maine.

On Aug. 19, Health Minister Mike Murphy announced the Liberals will more than double funding for the program this year – to $560,000 – so it can be upgraded and expanded.

Starting Aug. 25, the province’s oral rabies vaccination (ORV) program was expanded along the border area stretching from St. Stephen to Woodstock.

Previously, the initiative was carried out only along the border from St. Stephen to McAdam.

The ORV program involves distributing bait containing a rabies vaccine. The bait will be distributed by foot, and in rural areas, by low-flying planes.

“For the past eight years, the wildlife rabies control program has successfully trapped and vaccinated wild animals, creating a buffer zone against rabies,” Murphy said in a release.

“However, in response to the number of rabies cases in Maine, we are expanding the program in terms of the area covered and the number of animals we expect to vaccinate.”

In an interview, Jacqueline Badcock, an animal diseases consultant with the health department, said the previous program worked extremely well.

In fact, there have been no rabies cases among animals in New Brunswick since 2002.

Still, the annual resurgence in Maine means extra precaution must be taken, she said.

“With the northward spread in Maine, there is an opportunity for raccoon rabies to cross over the border and enter New Brunswick,” she said.

Raccoon rabies entered New Brunswick from Maine in the fall of 2000. At that time 13 cases were reported in raccoons and skunks.

By 2001 that number had grown to 48 cases, leading to the first rabies control program that fall.

Last fall, 1,149 raccoons, 589 skunks and 268 stray cats were vaccinated and released as part of the trap-vaccinate-release program.

That program, however, will not be continued this year.

Rabies, a virus that affects the nervous system, is fatal in both animals and humans.

If left unchecked it cycles through the animal population – possible spreading to humans or pets, said Badcock.

Additional information on rabies is available on the government’s website, or by calling the rabies information line at 1-877- 372-2437.

How can you protect yourself against rabies?

Awareness and prevention are the keys to reducing exposure to animals that may have rabies. If exposure occurs, quick treatment is critical to prevent the disease.

To protect yourself against rabies, take the following steps:

Be a responsible pet owner

– Vaccinate all household pets, according to your veterinarian’s recommendations; keep your pet leashed while outdoors. Always keep pets in at night to prevent encounters with wild animals; spay and neuter your pets. This helps reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats that become strays; and if your pet has been exposed to a potentially rabid animal, contact your veterinarian.

Enjoy wildlife from a distance

– Do not feed or handle wild animals;

– Never adopt wild animals as pets;

– Do not try to nurse sick wild animals back to health;

– Prevent bats and other wildlife from entering the living spaces in your home, where they might come in contact with people or pets;

– Leave alone any animals that may appear abandoned or orphaned. Their parents are very likely nearby.

Prevent dog and cat bites

– Do not pet or handle unfamiliar dogs or cats;

– Never approach a dog that is eating, sleeping or caring for puppies;

– Ask an owner’s permission before you pet a dog, even one on a leash.

Report suspect animals

–Learn to recognize the signs of rabies in animals. Report any suspect animals to the rabies information line at 1-877-372-2437.

Go to the hospital if you are bitten

– Following a bite or other potential exposure to rabies, wash the wound and seek medical attention immediately.