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Get familiar with the risks of rabies on World Rabies Day
Saturday, September 28, is World Rabies Day, an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for the elimination of a disease that causes thousands of deaths worldwide and continues to spread in wild animal populations throughout Ontario.
About rabies
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the nervous system of all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Common carriers include raccoons, foxes, skunks, bats, and household pets like cats and dogs.
Rabies spreads through the saliva of an infected animal, typically through bites or scratches. If bitten or scratched, it is critical to seek medical attention immediately. Without prompt treatment, and once symptoms appear, rabies is nearly 100 per cent fatal in both animals and humans.
What to do if bitten or scratched
- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes.
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Report the incident to the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit at 519-426-6170, ext. 3477. If the animal has an owner, obtain their contact information for Public Health.
Public Health Inspectors will evaluate the risk of rabies infection following an exposure to an animal bite or scratch. Based on their assessment, they may advise and arrange for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with a healthcare provider or hospital emergency department for the person involved.
Bats and rabies
Bats are mammals that can carry rabies and should never be touched. Bats pose unique risks because:
- Bat bites and scratches can be hard to notice due to their small teeth.
- Bats cannot be vaccinated through provincial programs that release bait in areas to target wild animals.
To prevent rabies exposure from bats, avoid contact with bats, bat-proof homes, and ensure all pets are vaccinated.
How to reduce the risk of rabies
Take the following steps to reduce the risk and help prevent the spread of rabies:
- In Ontario, all cats, dogs, and ferrets must be vaccinated for rabies by three months of age.
- Vaccinating pets prevents the spread of diseases from wild animals to humans.
- Even indoor pets need to be vaccinated to ensure everyone’s safety.
- Stay away from and do not touch unfamiliar animals, or animals acting strangely.
- Do not let pets roam free. Prevent pets from contact with wildlife.
- Feed pets indoors.
- Keep garbage securely covered.
- Always supervise children when they are around animals.
Touching an animal’s blood, urine, or feces does not pose a risk of contracting rabies but is not recommended due to possible exposure to other carriers of disease or infection.
To report wildlife acting abnormally in Haldimand or Norfolk, contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Rabies Information Line at 1-888-574-6656.
To report contact that might result in transmission of rabies to a person, call the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit at 519-426-6170, ext. 3477.
Incidents involving domestic pets being exposed to potentially rabid animals should be reported to a local veterinarian or the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300.