Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

Following the last serious outbreak of rabies in 1952-57, the province of Alberta remained virtually free of the disease for 13 years. In 1970 a sudden increase occurred with 16 cases in various species. The Alberta Central Rabies Control Committee was reactivated to cope with the situation. Pre-immunization of high-risk personnel and domestic pets was Initiated along with supportive research to monitor infection rates in various species. Vector control programs were established to stop the spread of rabies by known wildlife vectors, particularly skunks (Mephitis mephitis) which had brought rabies across the great plains to the Alberta-Saskatchewan border by 1970. By the use of a buffer zone and radial depopulation, the spread of rabies westward into Alberta has been essentially prevented over the last three years.