Rabies - Pets and People

What is rabies?

Rabies is a contagious and fatal disease. The rabies virus attacks the nervous system of the body and eventually works its way to the brain. Once symptoms appear, death is inevitable. The virus can be transmitted through saliva to any warm-blooded animal, including man.

Dogs and Cats

If the bite or scratch breaks the skin or if there is any possibility of viral infection, the animal is placed under a 10 day observation period. If the animal was infected at the time of the bite, signs of rabies would appear in the animal within 4-7 days. The animal would display a change in behavior then paralysis followed by death. When rabies is suspected, the animal will be destroyed and tested for the rabies virus.

Livestock

The confinement of cattle, horses and other livestock involved with humans depends on the type of exposure, the type of animal and the animal's behavior at the time of the incident. In some cases, there may be an observation period. In others, the animal would be destroyed for the rabies tests.

Wild Animals (including bats)

In all cases, if the animal is captured, it is destroyed for rabies tests. The reason for this action is that the incubation period in most wild animals is unknown.

People

Pasteur, the French scientist in 1885 discovered that a rabies vaccine would prevent the onset of rabies in humans after initial contact with a rabid animal. This vaccine today has been refined and consists of a series of 5 injections over a 28 day period. The vaccine is safe and the side effects reported are mostly of a minor nature.

Remember! If you have been bitten, scratched or exposed to a suspect rabid animal:

1. Wash the wound or area of contact thoroughly with soap and water immediately
2. Seek immediate medical advice from your family doctor or local hospital
3. Contact your local Health Unit office. They will ask for information to assist in finding and identifying the animal and will provide information and advice to you