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What is
Rabies?
- Rabies is an infectious and
contagious disease of the central nervous system.
- It is caused by a virus
that is carried in the saliva of infected warm-blooded mammals.
- In North America, raccoons,
bats, foxes and skunks are significant wildlife species that spread the disease.
How is Rabies Transmitted?
- The rabies virus is
concentrated in the saliva, mucus membranes and central nervous tissue of a
rabid animal.
- Humans can contract rabies
by being exposed to the saliva of an infected animal. Usually, the person is
bitten or scratched allowing the virus to enter the broken skin.
- The virus then moves into
the nervous system. It may also enter through an open cut or mucus membrane
(eyes, nose, and mouth).
Preventing
Rabies
- Prevent exposure to the
disease by staying away from all unknown animals, both wild and domestic.
- Vaccinate your cats and dogs against rabies. It is the law in Leeds, Grenville
and Lanark.
- Never touch a sick,
injured, trapped or dead animal.
- If you must remove a dead
animal wear protective gloves and wash all contaminated surfaces with soap and
water.
- Do not let your pets (dogs
and cats) run at large.
- Do not feed wild animals.
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When Bitten
- Immediately wash the wound
with soap and water to remove as much of the animal's saliva as possible.
- Avoid splashing wash-water
into your eyes, nose or mouth as the virus can enter your body through these
mucus membranes.
- Be sure to get the name and address of the animal owner and a description of
the animal.
- Contact you doctor or visit
the emergency department of your local hospital.
- All animal bites must be
reported to the Health Unit in accordance with the Health Protection and
Promotion Act of Ontario.
The Health Unit will confine domestic animals involved in a biting incident for a
period of 10 days to determine if the animal had rabies at the time of the biting
or scratching incident. If the animal is healthy at the end of the confinement,
post exposure rabies vaccine does not need to be administered.
Animals involved in a biting incident may not be euthanized until the 10 day
confinement period has been completed and the animal is released by a Public
Health Inspector.
Post-Exposure
Treatment
- All people who are
knowingly exposed to rabies must be treated immediately.
- Post Exposure Treatment is
available through the Health Unit. An assessment of an individuals exposure must
be made by a physician and the vaccine is then ordered through the Health Unit.
- Post Exposure Treatment
includes the administration of Rabies Immune Globulin and Rabies Vaccine. Immune
Globulin is given immediately after the biting incident along with the first
dose of rabies vaccine. The remaining four doses of rabies vaccine is given over
the course of one month.
- Rabies vaccine is safe for
pregnant women and children.
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Does the Rabies vaccine protect
you against Rabies?
Yes. The vaccine is an
effective treatment against rabies.
Adverse
Vaccine Reactions
Call your doctor if any of
these symptoms happen within three weeks after being vaccinated.
- Hives
- Vomiting
- High Fever
- Convulsions
- Any other serious health
problem
Pre-exposure
Vaccine
- Pre-exposure vaccine is
available and recommended for those who participate in high-risk activities that
could expose them to the rabies virus.
- The vaccine is not
available through the Health Unit but with a doctor’s prescription it can be
purchased through your pharmacy.
- Trappers, veterinarians,
animal control officers, and all those who work with wildlife or livestock
populations should be immunized with pre-exposure vaccine.
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