The Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health unit is urging the public to avoid coming into contact with wild animals.
“You, your family, and your pets are at risk of exposure to rabies and other illnesses when there is contact with a wild animal,” a health unit media release stated.
Several different types of animals can become infected with rabies, including skunks, raccoons, bats, foxes, dogs, and cats. Rabies can be transmitted to people from a bite or scratch, or when an animal’s saliva gets into an open wound, the mouth, nose or eyes. Never approach a wild animal, stray cat or dog. Rabies is fatal if you are infected and not treated.
“For your safety, do not feed or handle wildlife,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health.
“The best way to protect yourself and your family against rabies is to avoid touching wild animals and unfamiliar domestic animals, and also keep rabies vaccines up to date for your pets.”
Recently, an outbreak of distemper in local raccoon populations has caused infected animals to sometimes behave aggressively and lose their fear of humans. Raccoons may appear disoriented and wander around aimlessly during the day or night. While distemper isn’t a danger for people, it can be fatal for your pet if it has not been vaccinated against the virus. Animals infected with distemper may also carry rabies.
If you are bitten or have been in contact with a suspicious animal, wash the wound with soap and water and contact your physician immediately. Report the incident to Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2673 (after hours, on weekends and holidays, call 1-877-884-8653). For more information about rabies visit www.wdgpublichealth.ca.
If a wild animal is injured or in distress, leave it alone and contact your local humane society or animal shelter.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is mandated by the provincial government to support the well-being of individuals by promoting healthy behaviours, protecting communities from health threats or emergencies, and preventing disease and injury.
One of the roles of public health is to prevent the occurrence of rabies in people. WDG Public Health is governed by an autonomous board of directors made up of provincial appointees and representatives from the communities served. Public health units have been operating in Canadian communities for over 100 years. WDG Public Health was created in 1967 when local city and county agencies joined together.
