News Release                             For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                       January 8, 2007

Human Exposure to Rabies

A family in Grey County required post exposure rabies inoculation after their pet dog contracted rabies from an infected skunk.  The family pet had never been vaccinated against rabies. The incident took place in Sydenham Township with the individuals exposed to the dog over the holiday season. The dog subsequently died. The incident is still under investigation by Public Health and additional human exposure may be identified.

So far, this event has cost about 20 thousand dollars in post exposure treatment including inoculations and health care costs.  This could all have been avoided if the family pet was vaccinated.  It is law that all domestic dogs, cats and riding horses in Grey and Bruce be vaccinated against rabies

Untreated rabies is fatal in humans. Rabies spreads through the bite of an infected animal if the saliva enters a cut or scratch or is exposed to the moist tissue of the mouth, nose or eyes. The Grey Bruce Health Unit emphasizes that you can protect your family and pets from rabies by having your pets vaccinated according to instructions from your veterinarian.

Thirteen rabid animals were identified in Grey Bruce in 2006 (5 skunks, 5 bats, 2 fox, 1 bovine), an increase of six from 2005.

For further information call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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For more information:

Dr Hazel Lynn

Medical Officer of Health

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 269