Rabies is an extremely rare but incredibly dangerous disease for humans. While human transmission of the virus is not common, the CEO and medical officer of health for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit says people should still take steps to prevent contracting rabies. Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, A.K.A. Dr. Paul, joined CTV Your Moring Ottawa on Wednesday to offer some insight into rabies prevention and safety. What is rabies? As Dr. Paul explains, rabies is a virus that typically affects mammals, causing severe brain damage and death. “Most of the time it’s animals, but it can infect humans. And if you get if you get bitten by an animal that has rabies and are in contact with their saliva, a bite or a lick, and you have a scratch, the rabies can get into you,” Dr. Paul said. According to Health Canada, there have been 28 reported human cases of rabies resulting in death since 1924. While human transmission is incredibly rare, Dr. Paul says the issue is that the disease is untreatable once symptoms have developed. “Once you get rabies, 99 per cent you’ll die, and so that is why we’re raising the alarm now,” he said. The earliest symptoms of rabies include fever, tiredness, headaches and anxiety or irritability. Anyone who may have been exposed to the virus should contact their care provider immediately. Which animals carry rabies? Dr. Paul says raccoons and bats are the two most typical rabies-carrying animals. According to Dr. Paul, approximately 20 per cent of bats in the area that have been tested have been found to have rabies. Health Canada says rabies infections have also been reported in skunks in Ontario. While bats, raccoons and skunks are the main culprits for rabies infections, Dr. Paul says these animals can go on to infect other animals. “Recently in Quebec, a wild a cat actually got rabies and attacked an ambulance worker,” Dr. Paul said. What should you do if you’ve been exposed? Those who may have been exposed to rabies should contact their health care provider immediately. Health Canada says people should contact health care providers after any exposure to a bat. If you’ve been bitten by an animal, Dr. Paul recommends cleaning the wound and visiting the hospital. Before cleaning the wound, Health Canada says any clothing that may have been contaminated by the animal should be removed. The health agency recommends cleaning the wound with soap and water and flushing it with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. Any other area of your skin that contacted the animal should be washed, and the wound should remain uncovered, according to Health Canada. If the animal has an owner, Health Canada recommends gathering their contact information to pass on to public health officials. If the animal that bit the person was captured, it can be tested to see if it is carrying rabies. If the animal was not captured, as Dr. Paul says, doctors won’t “take a chance” and will begin preventative treatment immediately. “You’re going to go to the emergency room. You’re going to get treated for the tetanus shots and all that stuff for the wound. But we’re going to treat you because we don’t know what that animal had,” Dr. Paul said. Health Canada says treatment typically involves multiple injections of rabies post-exposure vaccines, and an injection of antibodies to help fight the virus. Do we vaccinate against rabies? Dr. Paul says most people are not regularly vaccinated for rabies; however, some professionals, like veterinarians, may be routinely vaccinated. While humans aren’t usually vaccinated for rabies, animals are. In Ontario, dogs, cats and ferrets older than three months of age must be vaccinated against rabies. What else should you know? Dr. Paul says parents should teach their children to stay away from stray animals. “Just teach your children to be aware. And again, if you get bitten, report it because it has to be reported to public health, and then we will make a determination,” he said.
