25 cases of raccoon rabies now confirmed in Hamilton

AP file photo.

HAMILTON -- Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says there are 10 new cases of raccoon rabies in Hamilton, bringing the total to 25 found in the province since early December.

Chris Davies, head of wildlife research with the ministry, says the cases were officially reported on Tuesday.

He says the new cases aren't surprising as they expected to find more as they continue to test dead raccoons for the virus.

Davies says the ministry will continue its enhanced surveillance of the area after dropping more than 200,000 rabies vaccine baits in an effort to stop its spread.

Raccoon rabies hasn't been seen in Ontario since 2005 and its re-emergence in early December only came to light after two dogs got into a fight with a sick raccoon in the back of an animal services van.

That raccoon tested positive for rabies and the dogs are healthy after being inoculated against the virus, but they remain in quarantine.