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Multiple health units involved in recent rabies investigation Karen Sweiger, Rabies Program Manager for the Grey Bruce Health Unit says that multiple health units are investigating exposure to a litter of rabid puppies that found their way to Bruce County involving human contact. Five health units are involved in this investigation in an effort to ensure anyone exposed receives follow-up medical care. Follow-up may require rabies vaccination to individuals and quarantine of any animals exposed to the virus. Sweiger says that the investigation involves exposure to three puppies originating from a litter in Perth County, transported and housed in Bruce County, and subsequently sold January 13, 2008 at the Dr. Fleas flea market, Albion Road and Highway 27, Toronto. Six individuals exposed in the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie, Bruce County, have been contacted by Public Health and have been advised to follow-up with medical treatment. Toronto, Peel, and York Health Units are seeking potential contacts at the flea market. Perth District Health Unit is investigating the source of the litter. Public Health reminds people to purchase animals from a reliable breeder/vendor and be sure of the animal’s immunization status. When purchasing puppies, find out the immunization status of the bitch. The Grey Bruce Health Unit investigated six rabid animal cases in 2007. Under the Health Protection and Promotion Act it is the law all cats and dogs over three months and all riding horses in Grey Bruce must be vaccinated for rabies. “Vaccinations protect pets from acquiring rabies and help protect you and your family if your pet is bitten by a rabid wild animal”, she says. “Ensure that your pet’s immunization is up-to-date. Your veterinarian will inform you of the schedule of vaccinations for your pet.” Sweiger says safety and health are not the only reason for keeping your pet’s vaccinations up-to-date. “A conviction for not having an animal properly vaccinated carries a $105 fine per animal.” “Rabies is a deadly disease of the central nervous system that affects humans and other mammals,” she says. “The virus is concentrated in the saliva of a rabid animal and can be spread through a bite, cut or scratch, or if the saliva comes in contact with the moist tissues of the mouth, nose or eyes. Rabies is fatal to animals and without the timely administration of treatment will cause death in humans. There is no known treatment for rabies once the symptoms appear.” “Protect yourself and your family. Do not feed or touch a wild or unknown animal. Warn children to stay away from wild or stray animals and animals that are acting strangely. Don't touch sick or injured animals. Seek immediate medical attention if in contact with an animal you think may be rabid. Report all animal bites to Public Health.” “Protect your pets and livestock from contact with wildlife. Keep your pets under control; don't let them run free, especially at night. With the threat of raccoon rabies, do not attempt to raise orphan raccoons. Most important, have your dogs, cats (including barn cats) and riding horses immunized by your veterinarian.” General Facts Rabies is a deadly disease that is spread by contact with the saliva of an infected warm-blooded animal during handling or when it bites or scratches you. If bitten by an animal notify your family doctor immediately. If the animal is owned by another person, obtain information about the animal so that it can be located and isolated for 10 days. If the animal is a stray, provide your local Public Health Inspector with as much information as possible so that the owner of the animal can be located. All animal bites or scratches must be reported to the Health Unit by Hospitals, Doctors and Police Officials. For more information on history and transmission see Rabies, Pets and People. Prevention · Avoid contact with wild animals, stray dogs and cats · Keep your pets under control. Don't let them run free especially at night · Don't touch sick or injured animals because rabies does affect the central nervous system and cause paralysis in an animal · Protect your pets and livestock from contact with wildlife · With the threat of raccoon rabies, do not attempt to raise orphan raccoons Most important…. Have your dogs and cats (including barn cats) immunized by your veterinarian. Note: Rabies is only one of several diseases for which there is a preventative vaccine or treatment. Consult your veterinarian for more information. In Bruce and Grey counties, rabies vaccinations are mandatory under Regulation 567. Treatment The Public Health Inspector carefully investigates each incident for evidence of human exposure to the rabies virus. The Public Health Inspector will consult and recommend the appropriate action with the patient and physician. Vaccine is provided free to physicians treating victims of exposure to proven rabid animals. It is also provided if the animal is a stray or wild animal (including bats) where the animal is not available for rabies tests. The series consists of 5 injections over a 28 day period. If you are in a high risk occupation such as veterinarian staff, dead stock removal etc. or spending time (over 1 month) in a foreign country where canine rabies is endemic, you should consider pre-exposure rabies vaccine. For further information call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit their web site. |
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