Quebec annual rabies campaign begins

Quebec is launching its annual anti-rabies campaign a little early this year.

More than 60,000 raccoon lures will be laid out in the Eastern Townships and Montérégie regions between April 27 and May 8.

We want to immunize raccoons in Quebec as quickly as possible as they start to become active at the beginning of the season.- Marianne Gagnier. Quebec wildlife department

The Quebec government decided to start two weeks early this year after a small outbreak in the United States.

Seven infected animals were recently discovered in New York State near the border.

Marianne Gagnier, a biologist with the province's wildlife department, says officials did not want to take any chances.   

"We want to immunize raccoons in Quebec as quickly as possible as they start to become active at the beginning of the season," she said.

"There is less food available out in the wild at this time of year so they are quicker to make their way to our lures."

The raccoon lures are being mainly set up near waterways like Lac Memphremagog and the Sutton and Missisquoi rivers.

Quebec has not had a rabies case since 2009.