HEALTH - First Rabies Case in Waterloo Region of Ontario

Despite a decrease in rabies cases reported in on Ontario this year, the rabies outbreak has made its way to Waterloo Region.

There were 288 cases of rabies confirmed in the province in 2016, with the majority reported in and around the Hamilton area.

Last week Waterloo Public Health announced the first case discovered in that region since the outbreak began at the end of 2015.

The provincial government has already launched their rabies control operations for this year which included helicopter baiting in Huron and Perth Counties in April.

Going forward, plans include helicopter, twin otter and hand baiting from July through September.

Baits are dropped for foxes, raccoons and skunks to eat in areas where rabies has been detected in wildlife in the current or previous year.

The bait is a small packet filled with the rabies vaccine that is absorbed through the lining of the mouth.

Animals are immunized against rabies about 2 weeks after they either chew or swallow the rabies vaccine bait.

To protect your family and your pets from rabies:

• Keep pets up-to-date with their rabies vaccination. In Ontario, it’s the law that all cats and dogs over three months of age be vaccinated against rabies
• Teach children to stay away from wild animals, dogs and cats they don’t know or animals that are acting strangely. A strange acting animal could be a sign that it is sick
• Talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating your livestock against rabies
• Keep pets away from wildlife. Don’t let your pets run free in the neighborhood and keep them indoors at night
• Don’t feed, transport or relocate wildlife.

To help pet owners Bridletown Warden Animal Hospital has been hosting low cost rabies/microchip clinics which will continue into June.

Visit Urban Animal Corporation’s website for complete clinic details, dates, locations and contact information.

HEALTH - Low Cost Rabies/Microchip Clinics Kickoff this Weekend in Ontario

With raccoon strain rabies in the community after a ten year absence, including two cats infected with it, rabies vaccination for Ontario pets is more important than ever.

Starting this weekend, low cost rabies and microchip clinics will be taking place in the province for those concerned about the cost of the injection.

Dr. Jeff Rabinovich of Bridletowne Warden Animal Hospital is once again offering the clinics - 23 this year - in partnership with Urban Animal Corporation, and hosted by Pet Valu and PetSmart stores.

The cost is just $25 per rabies vaccine, $25 per microchip, or $50 for both including HST (cash only).

Every participant will receive a lifetime subscription on HomeSafeTM, a global cloud-based registration and recovery service, courtesy of Urban Animal Corporation and Rabinovich.

HomeSafeTM provides the only on-line automated recovery system that allows all members of the community to post their own lost and found reports.

It facilitates instant sharing of pet information among the general public and organizations in the community, and across North America when a pet goes missing.

With an increase in clinics in 2017, organizers are confident more animals than ever before will be protected from disease and better insured of a return home if they get lost.

This weekend first-come, first-serve clinics will be held in Brockville, Waterloo and Kitchener.

Visit Urban Animal Corporation’s website for complete details, dates, locations and contact information.

HEALTH - Second Rabid Cat Found in Ontario

On February 6th, a cat infected with rabies was reported in Ontario.

This is just the second reported case of rabies in a domesticated animal in the province in 20 years.

The city of Hamilton Public Health Services is asking anyone who may have lost, abandoned, fed, or came in contact with a male adult orange tabby cat in the area bounded by Rymal Road to the north, 5th Line to the south, Fletcher Road and Harrison Road to the east, and Pauline Johnson Road to the west between Sunday, January 22 and Monday, January 30, 2017 to contact their local health unit to determine whether or not they need rabies post-exposure vaccine.

The city believes the two feline rabies cases are likely related to the resurgence of raccoon rabies in the area.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is conducting tests to determine if this cat is related to the raccoon strain of rabies currently circulating in the wild animal population and results are expected next week.

To protect people and their pets the city is recommending:

• Avoid contact with live or dead animals including raccoons, skunks, bats, as well as unknown dogs and cats. Do not feed, help, or relocate any wildlife of keep them as pets.
• Vaccinate pets against rabies, and keep rabies vaccinations current for dogs and cats to protect them, and prevent any spread to people.
• Report animal bites and scratches to public health by calling 905-546-CITY (2489). Wash wounds with soap and water, and seek medical attention.
• Report sick, injured, or strange behaving wildlife to City of Hamilton Animal Services by calling 905-546-CITY (2489)

As at February 1st, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry reported a total of 277 raccoon strain rabies cases and six fox strain since the outbreak began in December of 2015.

This is 14 new cases in 2017 and does not include the cat discovered this week.

The majority of incidents are raccoon strain rabies:

Raccoons: 187 cases

Skunks: 85 cases

Fox: 1 case

Cat: 1 case

Llama: 1 case

The province has tested over 4,800 animals for rabies and continues to rely on vaccine baits to help control the spread of the disease.

HEALTH - Year Ends With 269 Rabies Cases in Ontario

The province of Ontario has tested over 4,700 animals for rabies since the first case in December of 2015.

Over 1.6M vaccine baits have been distributed to help contain the disease and in the latest report, nine more cases of raccoon strain rabies have been discovered.

Testing from the week before Christmas confirmed five infected raccoons and four infected skunks in the Hamilton, Halton and Brandt regions.

This brings the total to 265 cases of raccoon strain and 4 cases of fox strain rabies in Ontario.

Summary:

Raccoon strain rabies - 265 cases

Hamilton - 213 cases

Haldimand - 19 cases

Brant - 12 cases

Niagara - 12 cases

Halton - 9 cases

Raccoon Strain Species Breakdown:

Raccoons - 181 cases

Skunks - 81 cases

Fox - 1 case

Cat - 1 case

Llama - 1 case

No testing was done through the holidays but will resume next week.

Rabies (Lyssavirus) is an infectious disease that affects the central nervous system in mammals.

It’s transmitted through the saliva when the animal “sheds” the virus.

Rabies is not transmitted through the blood, urine, or feces of an infected animal, nor is it spread airborne through the open environment. Because it affects the nervous system, most rabid animals behave abnormally.

Historically, bats, foxes and skunks are the most common carriers of rabies in Canada, with coyotes and raccoons added to this list in the United States.

It is believed this rabies outbreak in Ontario was caused by a raccoon that rode into Canada on a semi-truck from the US.

HEALTH - Over 250 Rabies Cases in Ontario

The Ontario Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources reported a new case of fox strain rabies this week - found in a cow in Perth County.

This brings the total incidence of fox strain to three.

The outbreak of rabies in the province has largely been the raccoon strain rabies.

There were six new raccoon strain cases this week in two raccoons and four skunks, bringing the total to 250 since the first case in December of last year.

It’s believed the infected animal rode into the province on the back of a tractor trailer and the province has been fighting to manage the disease ever since.

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease which occurs in more than 150 countries and territories

The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes.

The government of Ontario is keeping citizens apprised of reported rabies cases and general rabies information on their website.

HEALTH - Rabies a Continuing Concern in Ontario

Despite great efforts, including the distribution of more than 1,600,000 vaccine baits, Ontario continues to see animals infected with rabies.

The latest reported numbers, from last week, bring the total of raccoon strain rabies to 244 along with two cases of fox strain rabies since the first infected animal was discovered in December 2015.

The raccoon strain cases were found in the following areas:

• Hamilton - 198
• Haldimand - 18
• Niagara - 12
• Brant - 11
• Halton - 5

The majority of ill animals were raccoons (170), followed by 72 skunks, one fox and one cat.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry have tested more than 4,300 animals for the disease and are continuing their efforts to control the outbreak.

HEALTH - Global Rabies Control Efforts Continue

An all-time favourite of many is the classic movie Old Yeller, a story about a boy and stray dog set in post-Civil War Texas.

It is a tale about love, childhood adventures, and family and is a challenge to watch and not shed at least one tear.

Because the dog gets stricken with rabies.

Rabies is often associated with dogs, but it affects many different types of mammals and can be transferred to humans quite easily.

September 28th is World Rabies Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about rabies and improving global prevention and control efforts.

September 28th also marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur's death, the French chemist and microbiologist who developed the first rabies vaccine.

Rabies is a viral disease that is transmitted through the saliva or tissues from the nervous system of an infected mammal to another mammal, usually through a bite.

Typical incubation is three to eight weeks, and once symptoms appear rabies is almost always fatal.

Knowledge about rabies is important even if you are not a pet owner.

Recently an Alberta woman was bitten by a bat hiding in the back seat of her car. Fortunately, she decided to get it checked out - the bat turned out to be rabid.

Because rabies can affect wildlife, anyone who spends time outdoors or has children that do, should be aware of the disease.

Each year around the world, rabies results in more than 59,000 deaths – that is nearly one death every nine minutes.

Up to 60% of all rabies deaths are children under the age of 15.

Despite its almost 100% case fatality rate, canine rabies is completely preventable with modern vaccines. Nobody needs to die of rabies.

What can you do?

1. Take Pets to a Veterinarian for Their Rabies Shot

Regular vet checks and up-to-date vaccinations are key.

2. Stay away of unfamiliar/stray animals and wildlife.

One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to avoid contact with wild animals. More than 90% of all animal rabies cases reported to CDC each year occur in wild animals. The main animals that get rabies include raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes.

3. Stay Rabies Free In and Around Your Home

No matter where you live, there are steps you can take to keep wild or stray, rabid animals away.  Simple things like not putting food out or covering up your garbage cans can make a big difference.

For more on protection and prevention visit the Centers for Disease Control website.

Even though there have been great strides controlling rabies it is important to continue the effort.

Take part in this year’s World Rabies Day - look for events in your area that provide an opportunity to celebrate World Rabies Day and get the facts on rabies prevention and control.

By Cori Imbery
Cori is an animal lover and marketing consultant with over 15 years’ experience developing and enhancing in market activities. She brings to the table a 360-degree view that highlights different perspectives and opens minds to possibilities. She is also an artist and creates ultra-realistic pieces in graphite, pastel pencils and acrylics, but loves to play and experiment depending on what the vision calls for.

HEALTH - Rabies Numbers Continue to Grow in Ontario

Six new cases of rabies were reported last week by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in Ontario, plus the rabid cat confirmed by Hamilton public health.

Five cases were from the Hamilton area - three raccoons, one skunk and one red fox - and one raccoon from Haldimand-Norfolk County.

Strain typing has not been performed on the red fox but it is assumed to be raccoon strain due to its location.

The total number of animals infected with raccoon strain rabies since December 2015 is now 180, along with two cases of fox strain rabies.

According to the Ministry, the raccoon strain has been found in the following animals:

• 125 raccoons
• 53 skunks
• 1 cat
• 1 red fox
  
  

You can see the spread of the disease by visiting the Ontario government website, which displays a series of graphics beginning December 15th that show where rabies cases have been found along with the vaccine baiting areas.

HEALTH - Hamilton Cat Tests Positive for Rabies

Hamilton Public Health Services was notified on August 25, 2016 by Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit that a cat that may have originated in a rural area of Ancaster tested positive for rabies.

They are asking anyone who may have lost, abandoned, fed, or came in contact with a grey adult male cat in the area of Alberton, from south of Highway 403 into Brant County, between August 10 and August 20 to contact them.

• City of Hamilton residents can call 905-546-2489.
• Brant County residents can call 519-753-4937.

It’s possible the cat is Hamilton’s first case of domestic rabies in over 20 years.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is conducting tests to determine if this case is related to the raccoon strain of rabies found in the wild animal population in the Hamilton area.

Results of the tests are expected next week.

After more than a decade without raccoon strain rabies, Ontario has seen cases throughout 2016.

To combat the outbreak, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is planning a large scale aerial baiting operation in late August early September.

They will be distributing 500,000 more rabies vaccine baits by Twin Otter aircraft.

This is in addition to the 900,000 oral vaccine baits that have been distributed by the ministry in southern Ontario since December 2015 when the first case of raccoon rabies was confirmed.

As of August 23rd, 170 cases of raccoon strain rabies and 2 cases of fox strain rabies have been found in the province.

Raccoon strain rabies by area:

Hamilton 150

Haldimand 10

Niagara 5

Brant 5

In these cases, rabies was found in 118 raccoons and 52 skunks.

Hamilton Public Health is encouraging residents to:

• Always keep a safe distance from wild and unknown animals. Rabies can make animals aggressive or it can make them appear sick, scared, or friendly.
• Avoid contact with live or dead animals including raccoons, skunks, other land animals and bats, and unknown dogs and cats. Do not feed, help, or relocate any wildlife or keep them as pets.
• Keep your pets supervised.
• Vaccinate your pets against rabies, and keep rabies vaccinations current for dogs and cats to protect them, and prevent any spread to people. Visit their website for information on low cost rabies vaccine clinics.
• Report animal bites and scratches to public health by calling 905-546-2489. Wash wounds with soap and water and seek medical attention.
• If you see sick, injured or strange behaving wildlife report it to City of Hamilton Animal Services 905-546-2489.
  
  

HEALTH - More Rabies Cases in Ontario

The province of Ontario has been combating a rabies outbreak with the distribution of over 800,000 oral vaccines.

This week the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry reported three new rabies cases - two raccoons and one skunk, all with raccoon strain rabies.

This brings the total to 152 cases of raccoon strain rabies and 2 cases of fox strain rabies cases since December 2015.

Over 3,500 animals have been tested for the disease this year.

HEALTH - 6 Months in and Ontario Still Seeing Rabies Cases

Since the first rabies case was discovered in December 2015, 3,200 animals have been tested for the disease and over 800,000 oral vaccines have been distributed in Southern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has been aggressively fighting the outbreak and reports 134 cases of raccoon strain rabies and two fox strain to June 30th.

Of the raccoon strain cases, 122 have been discovered in Hamilton, five in Haldimand, four in Niagara and three in Brant.

The disease has infected 89 raccoons and 45 skunks.

Pet owners are encouraged to make sure their pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations - which is required by law in the province.

In Canada the most common carriers of rabies are raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats.

Rabid animals may be extremely excited, attack objects or other animals, froth at the mouth, or bite at anything. 

HEALTH - Ontario Rabies Numbers Continue to Grow

Ontario announced its first raccoon strain rabies cases in December 2015 and since then the number continues to grow.

Prior to this outbreak, the province hadn’t seen this type of rabies since 2005.

The latest update from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry states there have been a total of 121 cases of raccoon strain rabies and 2 cases of fox strain rabies cases since December 2015.

In the past week they reported five new cases - four from Hamilton (two raccoons and two skunks) and one case from Brantford in a raccoon.

The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death.

Pets can be protected from the virus through vaccination - which is legally required in Ontario.

Pet owners can also protect their animals by maintaining control of them to reduce their exposure to wildlife. It’s also important to report any stray or ill animals to animal control.

Rabies in humans is 100% preventable through prompt appropriate medical care. Yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 55,000 people, mostly in Africa and Asia, die from rabies every year.

In 2006 a group of researchers and professionals formed the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) whose mission is to prevent human deaths from rabies and relieve the burden of rabies in other animal populations, especially dogs.

World Rabies Day was founded by GARC and has grown every year, with hundreds of thousands of people participating in events on or around September 28th.

GARC uses a holistic model for rabies prevention that has proven to work and includes people, education, vaccination, access to treatment and monitoring results.

Their projects in Africa, the Philippines, India and elsewhere take them closer to their vision of a world free of human rabies.