Public health reporting 10 cases of rabies so far in 2018
Keeping family pets away from wild animals is always a smart thing to do, but right now it’s more important than ever, warns Niagara Region’s public health department.
Last week, two skunks in an urban area of Welland and one raccoon in Lincoln tested positive for rabies.
In 2018, six raccoons and four skunks have so far tested positive for the virus. Last year there were confirmed cases in 19 raccoons and two skunks, following 10 raccoons and two skunks that were determined to have the disease in 2016.
Peter Jekel, manager of environmental health at the Region, said caution is urged as the three affected animals recently found were from urban neighbourhoods.
“A lot of the rabid animals that are reported to us, they’re often in rural areas,” Jekel said Friday.
Some wild animals who are infected may not show symptoms, but there are behavioural patterns to watch out for.
“Often, in advanced stages of rabies, the animal will have difficulty walking,” said Jekel, also pointing out that frothing at the mouth occurs when a creature loses control of its salivary glands.
“But an animal that may appear friendly or normal may be harbouring the rabies virus,” he said.
If a household pet is bitten by a rabid skunk or raccoon, public health opens an investigation and confines the dog or cat, for example, to its own area for 10 days at home, as this is the time period when rabies is present in saliva.
“That’s when it will be transmissible to a person or another animal,” said Zekel.
If a wild animal carrying the illness is trapped on private property, animal control services are responsible for testing and euthanization.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is in the midst of a $4-million vaccine bait campaign in Niagara and surrounding Hamilton and Toronto areas, taking measures after an outbreak in 2016 when more than 200 cases were reported.
“That helps break the chain of infection,” said Jekel.
Owners of dogs, cats, and ferrets are legally required to have their pets’ vaccinations up to date, but Jekel said making sure they don’t roam off-leash or unsupervised is vital.
“The best advice is to keep your pets away from wild animals,” he said.
Increased aggression, depression, and paralysis in the face or hind legs are symptoms household pets will likely show if infected with rabies.
Residents are asked to report all animal bites and scratches of humans to Niagara Region Public Health at 905-688-8248 ext.
7590 or toll free 1-888-505-6074.
Local animal control services should be contacted when wild animals exhibiting abnormal behaviour are noticed.