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COLUMN 3 | Stouffville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, March 17, 2016 Instantly connected with your town, Stouffville H SUN-TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO Several raccoons carrying the canine distemper virus have been reported in Stouffville, the town says. Infected Stouffville raccoons may be lethal to your dog By Ali Raza aliraza@yrmg.com They're infected, aggressive and show disoriented behaviour. No, it's not The Walking Dead, but it is a cause for concern as several raccoons carrying the canine distemper virus have been reported in Stouffville, the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville warned in a media release Tuesday. The virus may be lethal to dogs that aren't vaccinated. It affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of canine mammals such as dogs, raccoons and skunks. Cats and humans, though, have nothing to worry about, as it is not transmittable to them. A rise in aggressive behaviour -- a common symptom of the virus -- was reported since January among local raccoons. Disorientation, seizures and other bizarre behaviour are also symptoms. Infected raccoons are more likely to approach people and sleep in public places. "It is very important that residents who encounter raccoons showing bizarre behaviour be very cautious," said Whitchurch-Stouffville animal control officer Connie Arnone. Dogs can be infected upon contact with a raccoon. The virus can be transmitted through runny noses, teary eyes, urine or feces. The town urges dog owners to keep their pets leashed, vaccinated and licensed to avoid any issues. The most common area of reported cases is in eastern Stouffville, south of Main Street and east of Memorial Park. There have been some reported cases of property damage caused by raccoons, but no reports of injuries. "There have been cases reported in the Thicketwood Boulevard area and around Summitview Public School," Arnone said. "We expect the number of cases of canine distemper in the area to remain level or possibly increase over the coming months." The day after the release was issued, another suspected case was reported on Alderwood Street. To avoid any incident with infected raccoons, do not approach them, do not feed them and keep all garbage and recycling securely stored. Close off open areas and keep garage doors shut to avoid domestication of raccoons. If you see an infected raccoon, call animal control services at 1-855-898-8605. ello, Stouffville! I'm Ali, your new reporter at The Sun-Tribune. It's been over a week since I started my new job here and I've already fallen in love with the town and its people. You're friendly and you care about this town. I also discovered someone in town has my name written across their licence plate! In case you see it, know that it's not me. But what a coincidence, eh? A little about me, I was born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area but found myself living in Guelph for the last decade. I attended university there -- just like our mayor -- and instantly felt a connection with the city. I hadn't felt a connection like that for a long while, not until I arrived here last week. My editor, Jim Mason, took me around for a brief tour of the town. He showed me the sights and sounds of the "country close to the city" and I immediately had a barrage of story ideas bouncing around in my head. After a few walks up and down Main Street, I was impressed by the small town charm. I've yet to visit the Lebovic Centre for Arts & Entertainment - 19 on the Park, Latcham Gallery or even the Earl of Whitchurch, but from what I've heard, they're amazing places worthy of being situated in a Ali Raza town that has become one of Canada's fastest-growing municipalities. It's a pleasure to drive through country roads and see nothing but farms, trees and open fields. I don't feel the congestion I felt back driving in and out of Toronto for my last job and it's a huge relief. I've been told of the region's many hiking trails; believe me when I say I'm excited to explore them all this summer. Stouffville, like many towns and cities spread across our great country, acts as a reminder of the warmth, kindness and diversity that make Canadians known throughout the world. I'm proud to be part of a community that shows us what it means to be Canadian. It's a pleasure to serve the community and to play a role in keeping us all informed so we can be better neighbours and better citizens. You can contact Ali Raza at aliraza@ yrmg.com or 905-640-2612 ext. 27. Follow him on Twitter @stouffreporter