News Release                              For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                         April 3, 2009

Positive Rabid Skunk

Test results received April 3, 2009, confirm rabies in a skunk from the South Bruce area. There was no human involvement. This is the second rabid animal report for Grey Bruce in 2009. Last month a rabid fox was confirmed in the Brockton area.

Last year saw the lowest number of rabies cases ever in Ontario. There were 79 confirmed cases of rabies province-wide: five of those from Grey Bruce (3 skunks, 1 calf and 1 bat).

Since 1989, the Ministry of Natural Resources has undertaken large-scale distribution of oral rabies vaccine baits targeting foxes and raccoons. The program is credited for the 98% reduction in fox rabies cases. There were 34 fox strain rabies cases in 2005, down from 1,500 seen annually before control measures were implemented.

Rabies is a deadly disease of the central nervous system that affects humans and other mammals. The virus is concentrated in the saliva of a rabid animal and can spread through a bite, cut or scratch, or if the saliva comes in contact with the moist tissues of the mouth, nose or eyes. Rabies is fatal to animals and without the timely administration of treatment will cause death in humans. There is no known treatment for rabies once the symptoms appear.

Protect yourself and your family. Do not feed or touch a wild or unknown animal. Warn children to stay away from wild or stray animals and animals that are acting strangely. Don't touch sick or injured animals. Seek immediate medical attention if in contact with an animal you think may be rabid. Report all animal bites to Public Health.

Protect your pets and livestock from contact with wildlife. Keep your pets under control; don't let them run free, especially at night. With the threat of raccoon rabies, do not attempt to raise orphan raccoons. Most important… have your dogs, cats (including barn cats) and riding horses immunized by your veterinarian.

It is the law all cats and dogs over three months and all riding horses in Grey Bruce must be vaccinated for rabies. Vaccinations protect pets from acquiring rabies and help protect you and your family if your pet is bitten by a rabid wild animal. Ensure that your pet’s immunization is up-to-date. Your veterinarian will inform you of the schedule of vaccinations for your pet. A conviction for not having an animal properly vaccinated carries a $105 fine, per animal.

For further information call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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For more information:

Karen Sweiger

Rabies Program Manager

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1230