Public health officials in the Niagara area are urging people to beware of wildlife, especially those that appear to be in trouble after a skunk in St. Catharines tested positive for rabies.
The Public Health of the Niagara Region (NRPH) calls on residents to protect themselves from rabies by ensuring that their domestic dogs and cats have up-to-date rabies vaccines by not allowing them to roam without a leash and unsupervised, avoiding any contact with wildlife and reporting all wild animals that behave unusually, especially raccoons, to local animal control services.
All incidents in which a wild animal bites or scratches a person must also be reported to the NRPH at 905-688-8248, ext. 7590 or free 1-888-505-6074, as an animal infected with rabies may not show symptoms. The health unit is available to accept calls for animal bites at any time.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, along with the local SPCA and humane societies, continue to conduct increased surveillance of rabies animals, the NRPH said in a June 20 press release.
So far this year, five skunks in Niagara have been infected with the deadly virus, which can spread to humans through the saliva of infected animals. Last year, 14 animals – 12 skunks and two raccoons – contracted rabies in the region.
Rabies, which can be fatal to humans, usually presents with flu-like symptoms. From there, those infected can get fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, confusion, hyperactivity, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, hallucinations, insomnia and even partial paralysis. Anyone who suspects they may have been bitten by wild animals is urged to seek medical attention immediately.
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