Sounds like a lot.
Monday, March 28, 2016, 7:22 PM - Rabies cases are exploding in Hamilton, Ont., with dozens of animals said to be infected.
So far, 65 animals have tested positive for raccoon rabies in Hamilton since December: 46 raccoons and 19 skunks. Elsewhere in the province, only five other cases have been reported.
Hamilton Public Health is warning residents to avoid raccoons and skunks and to have their pets vaccinated.
While getting sprayed by a skunk won't spread infection, being bitten by a rabid animal might.
"Any time anybody comes in contact with these (rabid) animals, they need to go to their physician or emergency room and seek medical attention immediately," Robert Hall, the director of health protection with Hamilton Public Health, told the CBC.
"It's serious, but this is in a wild animal population and if people aren't interacting with a wild animal then they shouldn't be exposed to it."
Prior to December, there were no reports of raccoon rabies in Ontario.
There have been no reports of anyone requiring medical attention after coming into contact with a raccoon or skunk in Hamilton since the infection began spreading.
While there's a relatively low risk that humans will become infected, there's a higher chance an unvaccinated cat or dog could.
Raccoon rabies hasn't been seen in Ontario since 2005, while the fox strain of rabies hasn't been reported since 2010. Bat rabies is still present, but only in limited numbers.
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/ne...s-infected-with-rabies-in-hamilton-ont/65617/
Monday, March 28, 2016, 7:22 PM - Rabies cases are exploding in Hamilton, Ont., with dozens of animals said to be infected.
So far, 65 animals have tested positive for raccoon rabies in Hamilton since December: 46 raccoons and 19 skunks. Elsewhere in the province, only five other cases have been reported.
Hamilton Public Health is warning residents to avoid raccoons and skunks and to have their pets vaccinated.
While getting sprayed by a skunk won't spread infection, being bitten by a rabid animal might.
"Any time anybody comes in contact with these (rabid) animals, they need to go to their physician or emergency room and seek medical attention immediately," Robert Hall, the director of health protection with Hamilton Public Health, told the CBC.
"It's serious, but this is in a wild animal population and if people aren't interacting with a wild animal then they shouldn't be exposed to it."
Prior to December, there were no reports of raccoon rabies in Ontario.
There have been no reports of anyone requiring medical attention after coming into contact with a raccoon or skunk in Hamilton since the infection began spreading.
While there's a relatively low risk that humans will become infected, there's a higher chance an unvaccinated cat or dog could.
Raccoon rabies hasn't been seen in Ontario since 2005, while the fox strain of rabies hasn't been reported since 2010. Bat rabies is still present, but only in limited numbers.
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/ne...s-infected-with-rabies-in-hamilton-ont/65617/
