Sudbury and District Health Unit is asking pet owners to ensure their cat and dog rabies vaccines are up-to-date.
After 10 years of Ontario being free from the raccoon strain of the rabies virus, the Hamilton, Niagara, and Haldimand-Norfolk areas have reported more than 100 cases of infected raccoons since December 2015. In addition to the reintroduction of the raccoon strain into Ontario, two animals infected with the more commonly found arctic fox strain of rabies have been reported in Perth County.
But no cases of the raccoon strain of the rabies virus have ever been identified in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts.
The most recent case of arctic fox rabies was reported in the area in 2003, following a two-year outbreak involving domestic, livestock and wildlife animal populations. Positive bats have been identified in recent years throughout the health unit’s service area.
Mandatory vaccination of cats and dogs not only protects pets, but also protects their owner’s family members and the community from exposure to the deadly rabies virus, the health unit said.
Other important rabies prevention measures include:
- Not allowing pets to roam off-leash or unsupervised, particularly at night, when animals, such as foxes, skunks, bats, and raccoons, are out.
- Preventing contact between pets and wildlife. Consult with your veterinarian if contact occurs.
- Avoiding all human contact with wild animals.
- Attempting to keep bats from getting inside your home or cottage.
- Immediately washing bite or scratch wounds with soap and water, and consulting with a health care provider as soon as possible.
The health unit works with a network of local and provincial experts to closely monitor the risk of rabies within the animal population and maintains an up-to-date rabies contingency plan to ensure a comprehensive response if a threat emerges.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is taking measures in southern Ontario to control the spread of rabies across the province.
For information, contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Rabies hotline at 1-888-574-6656 or visit www.ontario.ca/rabies. Wild animals exhibiting abnormal behaviour should also be reported to the Rabies hotline.
To report a scratch or bite, or for more information on rabies and rabies prevention, call the Sudbury and District Health Unit at 705-522-9200, ext. 398, or visit www.sdhu.com.
