Peterborough Public Health Confirms Two Cases of Rabies Found In Local Bats
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH) received reports of two confirmed rabies cases in the local bat population, announced on Tuesday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
PPH reminds residents to avoid interacting with wildlife as all mammals can carry rabies.
Although it’s rare, with vaccination and public health control measures, human infection with rabies is nearly 100 per cent fatal according to PPH. While animal bites are responsible for most instances of rabies transmission, saliva contamination of cuts, scratches and mucous membranes are also possible.
PPH suggested the following 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 avoid wild animals, pets they don’t know and animals that are acting strangely.
Talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating your livestock against rabies.
Stay away from any wildlife, dogs or cats you don’t know or any animal 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.
