Two cases of rabies confirmed in NOTL

Two cases of rabies have been confirmed in Niagara-on-the-Lake within the past month says Niagara Region Public Health, both in skunks.

Peter Jekel, public health’s manager of environmental health, said the first case was confirmed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Nov. 1 in a skunk that had been killed on a road.

Public health confirmed the second case on Nov. 23 after a man phoned in to report a confrontation involving a skunk and his dog.

Both cases were found on Line 9. Jekel was unable to offer more specific details about either of the case locations.

Public health has been collaborating with the Rural Affairs Ministry and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry since December 2015, when the raccoon rabies outbreak hit Hamilton, Jekel said.

Whether the two rabid skunks found in NOTL are a result of the Hamilton outbreak or whether they represent a new rabies cluster requires more investigation.

“We don’t know at this juncture,” said Jekel.

He offered this advice: “Get your pets vaccinated against rabies and stay clear of any wild or stray animals.”

Because the rabies virus affects an animal’s brain, Jekel said sick animals don’t always display aggressive behaviour.

The virus may have simply removed the animal’s rational fear of humans in some cases, meaning an animal may approach an individual or pet and appear friendly, he said.

Because rabies is transmitted through saliva exposure, a simple lick or nip may be enough.

People concerned about a pet having been exposed to an unfamiliar animal should contact a veterinarian for

testing.