A public alert was issued in Redvers regarding a rabies positive skunk captured in the Town of Redvers on Thursday, Jan. 19.
The public alert states that the “rabid skunk may had been in interaction with people or animals.” It is therefore important to contact Public Health Inspection at 1-888-295-8005 if you’ve recently had exposure to a skunk or abnormally behaving skunk/cat or other animal or have fed stray cats/dogs.
Suspicious animal behaviour should be reported to the Town of Redvers and avoid contact with stray animals.
Rabies is a deadly zoonotic disease – meaning it is transferable from animals to humans – and affects all types of mammals around the world. The infected animal transfers the virus via bites and scratches containing infected saliva. Once infected the virus travels to the brain and affects the central nervous system.
“Furious” rabies involves symptoms including difficulty swallowing, inability to quench thirst, and panic when given liquids to drink. The virus multiplies in the salivary glands, which results in drooling/frothing at the mouth and can cause throat spasms. The animal becomes more aggressive due to the virus as well; it can become restless, confused, and willing to bite. Approximately 10 days after the symptoms present, the animal will succumb to the disease, resulting in death, unless a vaccine is administered in time.
“Dumb” rabies results in the opposite reaction to the virus, with behaviour change causing an animal to become more affectionate or more withdrawn.
Prevention includes vaccination: a once a year vaccine helps protect your family and your family’s pet. If a non-vaccinated animal is bitten by a wild animal that is rabies positive, it may be necessary to euthanize the animal for testing or for it to be quarantined for six months. The only way to test for rabies is through a brain sample, which requires the animal to be euthanized. A vaccination helps the animal develop antibodies to fight the virus, if ever exposed to it.
For more information visit: www.rabiesalliance.org.
