HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2015-12-16, Page 15Wednesday, December 16, 2015 • News Record 15
Protect your pets from raccoon rabies
Special to Clinton News Reord
After four confirmed rac-
coon rabies cases in Hamil-
ton, the Huron County Health
Unit reminds residents to pro-
tect themselves, their dogs
and their cats against the fatal
disease.
These are Ontario's first rac-
coon rabies cases since 2005.
In one of the Hamilton cases,
two unvaccinated dogs came
into contact with a rabid
raccoon.
Rabies is a disease spread
by the bite or scratch of an
infected animal. It attacks the
brain and spinal cord of
warm-blooded animals,
including humans. Once
symptoms appear, rabies is
almost always fatal.
"It's important for both you
and your pets to avoid contact
with wild animals, says Public
Health Inspector Patrick Lan-
dry. "Keeping your cats and
dogs on -leash and supervised
keeps your pets from running
into wild animals. Rabies vac-
cination is mandatory for cats
and dogs three months of age
and older, as well as manda-
tory for some classes of horses
in Huron County." Owners
can be fined if they do not
vaccinate their animals.
A bat in Huron County
tested positive for rabies in
2014. The animals most likely
to transmit rabies in Huron
if it's lo al, it' her
County are bats, skunks, rac-
coons, and foxes. Landry
reminds residents, however,
that any mammal can trans-
mit the disease if it carries the
virus.
Rabies is entirely prevent-
able. You can reduce your
risk of rabies by: avoiding
contact with unfamiliar
domestic animals and all
wild animals, especially
when the animal is ill, acting
strangely or is found dead;
avoiding feeding unfamiliar
domestic animals and all
wild animals; not allowing
pets to run loose outdoors;
keeping your pet's rabies
vaccination up-to-date.
If you or a family member is
bitten or scratched by any ani-
mal, immediately wash the
wound well with soap and
water, and then contact your
doctor. The incident must be
reported to the Health Unit for
investigation and assessment
of the risk for rabies. Based on
that assessment, post -expo-
sure rabies prophylaxis may
be recommended or the ani-
mal may be observed for signs
of the disease.
If you see an animal, espe-
cially a raccoon, acting
strangely, report it to your
local Animal Control services
or call the Ministry of Natural
Resources and Forestry
Rabies Hotline at
1-888-574-6656.
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