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Beat the Bite
Rabies is a viral infection of animals that can be spread to humans. The virus comes from the Rhabdoviridae family and attacks the central nervous system.
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Now that colder weather is with us, it is not uncommon for rodents and small animals to seek warmth and shelter in our homes, sheds, and garages. While some of these furry creatures seem harmless, it is important to be aware of the potential human health risks such as rabies and Lyme disease that can result from contact with these animals and their habitats. These risks also apply to family pets such as dogs and cats. A curious pet can come into close contact with a potentially infected wild animal or rodent, which can then place the pet owners and the general population at risk.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral infection of animals that can be spread to humans. The virus comes from the Rhabdoviridae family and attacks the central nervous system. The virus is usually found in the saliva of infected animals such as dogs, cats, bats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and wolves. The virus is transmitted through bites, scratches, or licks from an infected animal.
What are the risks?
According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, most of the animal rabies cases reported in Canada are in Ontario and Manitoba, 39% and 29% respectively in 2005. The animals most commonly infected throughout the country are bats, skunks, and foxes. Although infections in domestic dogs and cats make up less than 10% of reported animal rabies in Canada, bites from these species account for the majority of suspected rabies exposures in humans and the majority of reasons for giving a person post-exposure shots. If a person has been exposed to rabies and develops the disease but does not receive post-exposure shots, the consequences are fatal.
Beat the Bite: Tips
- Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies every year.
- Do not let your pet run free in the neighbourhood. If they do go outdoors, keep them indoors at night.
- Do not approach an unfamiliar animal. Allow the animal to see and smell you before petting it.
- Do not approach a stray or wild animal. If you encounter one, do not run away. Remain still, and when the animal loses interest, walk away slowly, keeping the animal in view.
- Always supervise children around pets and other animals. Teach them to be gentle and respectful to animals.
- Never tease an animal or disturb an animal when sleeping.
What To Do After a Bite or Scratch?
If you or someone in your care is bitten or scratched by an animal, it is important to follow these basic steps to ensure their safety.
1. Immediately wash out the bite or scratch with soap and water.
2. Seek medical attention.
3. Report the bite or scratch to your local public health unit. Have the following information handy:
- a. Vaccination information about the animal that caused the bite or scratch.
- b. Vaccination information about the person that was bit or scratched (i.e.Tetanus shots).
- c. A description of how the bite or scratch occurred.
- d. Location of the animal and owners of the animal, if known.
4. Once reported, the health unit will require a 10-day quarantine of the animal. Usually this quarantine can be done at the owner’s home.
5. The health unit will follow-up with the animal owner to determine if there is any evidence of a rabies infection present in the animal.
6. If the bite comes from an unknown animal, and it is not possible to quarantine the animal, it is widely recommended that the person undergo a series of shots to prevent the potential onset of human rabies.
QUIZ: What do you know about preventing dog bites?
True or false?
1. Neutering or spaying will make a dog less aggressive.
2. Puppies should be allowed play biting, as it is harmless.
3. Youths aged 12 to 19 have the highest rate of serious dog bites.
Answers
1. True: Sterilizing a dog reduces its aggressive tendencies significantly.
2. False: Discourage all biting, even play biting. It could lead to problems later.
3. False: Children under nine years of age are the most common victims because they lack judgement or don't recognize the dog's warning signs, and are more likely to act in a way the dog considers threatening.
Hands off!
It is dangerous to handle live or dead rodents such as mice, squirrels, and pigeons with your bare hands as they can transmit diseases and parasites such as leptospirosis or hantavirus. Always wash hands thoroughly after handling traps or cleaning out the nesting areas of rodents. If a person or pet is bitten by a rat or mouse, wash the wound immediately and thoroughly with soapy water and see a doctor as soon as possible.
Turtles, iguanas, and snakes can also be harmful to handle, as they can be a carrier of salmonella. It is important to always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling these reptiles and remove them from the homes of infants and toddlers.
Ticks and Lyme Disease
It is especially important to be aware of ticks during the Fall season. Ticks are small, non-flying bugs found on the ground or in tall grass and vegetation. They can burrow into the skin and cause Lyme disease, an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi
A tick bite looks like a round, red rash, about 5 centimetres in diameter. Symptoms of Lyme disease typically include headache, fever, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue and usually appear 1-2 weeks after exposure. Antibiotics are required to treat this non-fatal infection.
In general, the quicker treatment starts, the less chance there is of long-term damage to the heart, nervous system, or joints.
How to avoid tick bites:
- Wear light coloured clothing because it makes the ticks easier to see.
- Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants, and shoes with socks.
- Use an insect repellant that contains DEET.
- Don’t walk bare legged in tall grass or dunes where ticks may be found.
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