Just over a week after Chatham-Kent Public Health officials confirmed a bat had been found with rabies, the disease has been detected on Walpole Island First Nation.
Staff from the Walpole Island Health Centre issued a notice yesterday that a bat found in the community on Monday, July 14 tested positive, and a raccoon shot dead late last week is also suspected to have been carrying the virus.
Officials say once a person has been infected, rabies has a 100% fatality rate if left untreated. Residents are encouraged to avoid any wild, aggressive, or stray animals and take prompt action to report any bite, scratch, or unusual or aggressive behaviour from any animal.
Health Centre officials say some precautions to prevent possible exposure to rabies include:
- Report any sick of strange acting wildlife
- Vaccinate pets and livestock
- Do not feed wildlife or stray animals, and discourage them from seeking food near your home
- Do not approach an unknown animal, either wild or domestic, especially if it is acting in a strange or unusual manner
- Keep garbage cans tightly covered and avoid storing any food outside
Instruct children to tell an adult immediately if they were bitten or scratched by any animal - If an unvaccinated pet comes in contact with rabies or suspected rabies, the pet must be quarantined for four months
- Vaccinated pets that come in contact with rabid or suspected rabid animals must be given a booster rabies vaccine within five days of the contact
All animal bites or scratches should be reported to the nearest emergency department or public health.