Grey Bruce Public Health is advising caution around wild animals this summer to avoid the possibility of rabies.
Physician Consultant Dr. Brittany Graham says people out enjoying the region should watch and admire animals from afar after a bat was confirmed with rabies this past week.
“It is rare, but can be a very serious infection and it can be spread to people through direct contact with saliva from an infected animal, usually through a bite or scratch,” says Graham.
She adds people in Grey Bruce should be keeping an eye out for specific mammals.
“Most commonly we have had positive rabies cases in bats. We also are concerned about rabies in skunks, foxes and raccoons, but rabies can infect any mammal, and so that also includes cats and dogs and livestock, which is why it is so important for pet owners to ensure their animals are vaccinated,” says Graham.
Public health adds it typically sees an increase in reports of people being bitten or scratched by wild animals in the spring and summer and any bite or scratch must be investigated to rule out the possibilities of the victim contracting rabies. The organization does monitor for cases of rabies in the area and Graham says they have not detected any so far this year.
“Rabies in animals can present in a number of different ways. The virus does infect the nervous system and so one of the important things to do is that an animal can be infected with rabies and it can spread the virus through its saliva before it shows any symptoms. That is why it is so important to observe wildlife from a distance, not interact with wildlife, even if it seems like they are behaving normally,” says Graham.
She adds rabies can cause changes in animal behaviour including, making them more timid or aggressive, lack of coordination, and paralysis.
“Individuals who are infected with rabies can develop flu-like symptoms, fever, headache and then it can progress to more serious symptoms. When rabies causes symptoms, it is almost always fatal, so it is really important to prevent rabies infection,” says Graham.
She recommends for those who have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal to clean out the wound with soap and rinse it before going to the hospital.
More details on rabies can be found on Grey Bruce Public Health’s website here.