Confirmed cases of rabies in animals have recently been reported throughout the Sunrise Health Region. Members of the public should exercise extreme caution when approaching animals that appear to be sick or agitated. Rabies is a serious disease of the nervous system affecting warmblooded animals, including humans.
When contracted, rabies usually results in death. Rabies in Saskatchewan most commonly occurs in animals such as skunks, bats, but may also be found in domestic pets such as dogs, cats, farm animals such as cattle and horses and other wild animals like raccoons. Rabies can transfer from sick animals to humans.
To minimize your risk of contracting rabies:
treat unknown or wild animals and sick pets with caution
do not approach or touch a wild animal, especially if it appears to be sick
teach children not to touch or feed animals that they do not know
have your pets vaccinated yearly for rabies
Exposure to rabies is considered to have occurred when the saliva or other potentially infectious material of a rabid animal is introduced in to a person through a bite or scratch or by the spraying of saliva or other infectious material on the mucous membranes of an individual. After a "silent" period of a few weeks or months following the exposure to the sick animal, signs and symptoms of rabies can occur quickly over several days and include rapidly progressive central nervous system symptoms which can include anxiety, difficulty swallowing and seizures.
Animals with rabies show a variety of signs including depression, hiding, paralysis which could occur in a number of areas including the face or neck, and wild animals losing fear of humans.
Other signs of rabid animals are those that only come out at night are being seen during the day and aggressiveness which may include attacking objects or other animals.
If you or someone you know is bitten by an animal, flush the wound extensively with soap and water, confine the animal, place it under observation if possible and seek immediate medical attention, even if you think the bite is minor. Individuals exposed to rabies will have their level of risk determined by their physician may be treated by receiving the rabies vaccine.
For information on animal bites, contact the Sunrise Public Health office at 786-0600 or the HealthLine at 1-877-800-0002. If you are bitten by an animal, immediately contact your nearest emergency medical centre for treatment. To report an animal that is suspected to have rabies, contact the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at (306) 780-5180.
.JPG;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
