Public health officials in the Niagara region are urging people to stay away from wild animals, especially those that appear to be in danger, after a skunk in St. Catharines tested positive for anger.
Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH) urges residents to protect themselves from rabies by making sure their dogs and cats have up-to-date rabies vaccines, not allowing them to roam without a leash and without supervision. avoiding all contact with wild animals and reporting any wildlife that exhibits abnormal behavior, especially raccoons, to local animal control services.
All incidents in which a wild animal bites or scratches a human must also be reported to NRPH at 905-688-8248, ext. 7590 or toll-free 1-888-505-6074, as a rabies-infected animal may not show any symptoms. The health unit is available to answer calls about animal bites at any time.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, along with local SPCAs and human societies, continue to carry out increased surveillance activities for rabid animals, NRPH said in a June 20 press release.
So far this year, five Niagara skunks have contracted the deadly virus, which can be transmitted to humans through the saliva of infected animals. Last year, 14 animals, 12 skunks and two raccoons, were angry in this region.
Rabies, which can be fatal to humans, typically has flu-like symptoms. From there, those infected may experience fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, confusion, hyperactivity, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, hallucinations, insomnia, and even partial paralysis. Anyone who suspects they may have been bitten by a wild animal is asked to seek immediate medical attention.