PETERBOROUGH-Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is reminding residents to avoid interacting with wildlife after receiving reports of two confirmed cases of rabies in the local bat population.
Officials say bats, like all mammals, can carry rabies. Although it’s rare human infection with rabies is nearly 100% fatal. While animal bites are responsible for most instances of rabies transmission, saliva contamination of cuts, scratches and mucous membranes is also possible. For tips on preventing interaction with bats, visit www.ontario.ca/page/prevent-conflicts-bats.
To protect your family and your pets from rabies:
- Keep pets up to date with their rabies vaccination. In Ontario, it’s the law that all cats, dogs and ferrets over three months of age must be vaccinated against rabies, and this vaccination must be kept up-to-date.
- Teach children to stay away from wild animals, pets they don’t know, or animals that are acting strangely.
- Talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating your livestock against rabies.
- Stay away from any wildlife, dogs or cats that you don’t know or any animal that is acting strangely. Remember, only mammals can carry rabies.
- Keep pets away from wildlife. Don’t let pets run free and keep them indoors at night.
- Don’t feed, transport or relocate wildlife.
If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, seek medical advice immediately, and then contact Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000.
If your pets or livestock have had contact with a wild animal, such as a bat, skunk, fox or raccoon, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Veterinarians seeking assistance with risk assessments or animal post-exposure management can call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300.
