Public Health Services Investigates Rabid Cat
Hamilton, ON - August 26, 2016 - City of Hamilton Public Health Services is working together with Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit to determine if any people locally came in contact with a rabid cat. Public Health Services was notified on August 25, 2016 by Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit that a cat that may have originated in a rural area of Ancaster tested positive for rabies.
This may be Hamilton’s first case of domestic rabies in over 20 years. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is conducting testing to determine if this is related to the raccoon strain of rabies currently circulating in the wild animal population in Hamilton; results are expected next week. More information will be released as the investigation continues.
“The rabies risk is real – our goal is to protect the health of our community and prevent human cases of rabies which is almost always fatal,” says Dr. Jessica Hopkins, Associate Medical Officer of Health, City of Hamilton.
The City of Hamilton reminds residents of the following measures to protect your family and pets from rabies:
- Always keep a safe distance from wild and unknown animals. Rabies can make animals aggressive or it can make them appear sick, scared, or friendly.
- Avoid contact with live or dead animals including raccoons, skunks, other land animals and bats, and unknown dogs and cats. Do not feed, help, or relocate any wildlife or keep them as pets.
- Keep your pets supervised.
- Vaccinate your pets against rabies, and keep rabies vaccinations current for dogs and cats to protect them, and prevent any spread to people. Visit our website for information on low cost rabies vaccine clinics.
- Report animal bites and scratches to public health by calling 905-546-2489. Wash wounds with soap and water and seek medical attention.
- If you see sick, injured or strange behaving wildlife report it to City of Hamilton Animal Services 905-546-2489
For more information visit www.hamilton.ca/rabies