Ontario has reported its first case of human rabies acquired inside the province since 1967. The affected person, a resident of Brantford-Brant, is presently receiving therapy in a hospital.
In line with CBC Information, the Brant County Well being Unit (BCHU) has recognized a bat from the Gowanda space within the Timiskaming area, north of Sudbury, because the probably supply of publicity.
Rabies, a viral illness affecting the mind and spinal wire, is usually deadly if left untreated.
Dr Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Well being, mentioned that the an infection is believed to have occurred following “direct contact” with a bat.
Dr Moore urged anybody in Ontario who has had direct contact with a bat, even within the absence of seen bites or scratches, or has been uncovered to saliva or tissues from an contaminated animal, to hunt instant medical consideration.
As a precautionary measure, shut contacts of the contaminated individual, together with members of the family and healthcare staff, are being assessed and supplied post-exposure prophylaxis. “The healthcare supplier, in session with the native public well being unit, will assess the chance of rabies and should provide vaccines to stop an infection,” mentioned Dr Moore.
The usual therapy for rabies publicity, which includes a dose of rabies immune globulin adopted by a sequence of rabies vaccines, is almost 100% efficient if administered promptly.
Human instances of rabies are exceptionally uncommon in Canada, with solely 26 recorded situations since 1924, and there has by no means been a documented case of human-to-human transmission.
To assist hold residents and their pets secure, the BCHU has supplied a number of suggestions, together with guaranteeing pets and livestock are updated on rabies vaccinations, avoiding contact with unfamiliar animals, protecting pets away from wildlife, supervising kids round animals, not permitting pets to roam freely open air, and feeding pets indoors to stop attracting wildlife. If anybody comes into contact with a bat or rabid animal, they need to instantly wash the wound with cleaning soap and water and search medical care.
In line with CBC Information, the Brant County Well being Unit (BCHU) has recognized a bat from the Gowanda space within the Timiskaming area, north of Sudbury, because the probably supply of publicity.
Rabies, a viral illness affecting the mind and spinal wire, is usually deadly if left untreated.
Dr Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Well being, mentioned that the an infection is believed to have occurred following “direct contact” with a bat.
Dr Moore urged anybody in Ontario who has had direct contact with a bat, even within the absence of seen bites or scratches, or has been uncovered to saliva or tissues from an contaminated animal, to hunt instant medical consideration.
As a precautionary measure, shut contacts of the contaminated individual, together with members of the family and healthcare staff, are being assessed and supplied post-exposure prophylaxis. “The healthcare supplier, in session with the native public well being unit, will assess the chance of rabies and should provide vaccines to stop an infection,” mentioned Dr Moore.
The usual therapy for rabies publicity, which includes a dose of rabies immune globulin adopted by a sequence of rabies vaccines, is almost 100% efficient if administered promptly.
Human instances of rabies are exceptionally uncommon in Canada, with solely 26 recorded situations since 1924, and there has by no means been a documented case of human-to-human transmission.
To assist hold residents and their pets secure, the BCHU has supplied a number of suggestions, together with guaranteeing pets and livestock are updated on rabies vaccinations, avoiding contact with unfamiliar animals, protecting pets away from wildlife, supervising kids round animals, not permitting pets to roam freely open air, and feeding pets indoors to stop attracting wildlife. If anybody comes into contact with a bat or rabid animal, they need to instantly wash the wound with cleaning soap and water and search medical care.
