Rabies is present in some of our wildlife. There is always a danger of a domestic animal becoming infected and the deadly virus being passed on to humans.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.
Prompt treatment after an exposure may prevent the disease from progressing.
How is Rabies Spread?
Rabies is transmitted from infected animals to people through saliva – primarily through bite and scratch wounds. It can also spread when the contaminated animal’s saliva comes in contact with an open wound, or moist tissues of the mouth, nose or eyes.
Do Bats Spread Rabies?
Exposure to bats is a major concern, as the last few human deaths from rabies in Canada have been from bats. Bat exposures include:
- A bat bites or scratches a person
- A bat lands on a person
- Infectious material (such as saliva) from a bat gets in your eyes, nose, mouth or a wound
The bat’s small teeth may leave marks that are not easily seen and the bite may not be felt. You should seek medical advice if:
- A sleeping person awakes and finds a bat in the room
- A bat is found in the room of an unattended child, or person who could not report whether he or she had direct contact with the bat
History of Rabies in Ontario
The arctic fox strain of rabies entered southern Ontario between 1954 and 1959 from northern Ontario and Quebec. In northern Ontario, the disease disappeared in 1972 but reappeared in 1989. It was eliminated from southeastern Ontario, but still is present in certain areas across southwestern Ontario.
Raccoon rabies has been a major public health hazard in the United States since 1940. In July 1999, eastern Ontario had its first case of raccoon rabies, but preparation and the control efforts have helped stop the spread of raccoon rabies in Ontario. The Ontario Raccoon Rabies Task Force has put in place a strategic plan for countering the threat of raccoon rabies. All health units have a Raccoon Rabies Contingency Plan in place for their respective areas. This plan involves agencies and individuals that have an interest in raccoon rabies. These may include: the local health unit, police department, clerk’s office, animal control agency, humane society, wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife control companies and the local offices of the ministries of Natural Resources; Health; Agriculture and Food; and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Bat rabies was first discovered in Ontario in 1961. There are eight species of bats in Ontario. The most common are the Little Brown bat, the Big Brown bat, and the Silver-haired bat. In Canada in 2007, 2721 bats were tested for rabies, and 93 bats were found to be rabies-positive (3.42%). In Ontario in 2007, a total of 1644 bats were tested for rabies, with 62 found to be positive (3.77%).
Contact & More Information
For more information contact the Health Unit and ask to speak to a Public Health Inspector call 519.482.3416 or toll free at1.877.837.6143.
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