Hamilton, ON – September 2, 2016 – City of Hamilton Public Health Services was notified on September 1 that a fox in the Glanbrook area was identified as having rabies. This animal is not known to have exposed any people to rabies. 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. Rabies in foxes was last reported in the Hamilton area in 1994.
The City of Hamilton continues to work with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to address the circulation of rabies in wild animals in the Hamilton area.
Please watch for a new public awareness campaign to be launched this month that will remind Hamiltonians that rabies is a risk in 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 animals and seemingly domestic 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, and leashed. Learn more about the City’s Responsible Animal Ownership By-law • 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. • Anyone who is bitten, scratched or has contact with the saliva of an animal should immediately wash the area with soap and water and seek medical attention as rabies post-exposure vaccine may be needed. Report animal bites and scratches to public health by calling 905-546-CITY (2489). • If you see sick, injured or strange behaving wildlife report it to City of Hamilton Animal Services 905-546-CITY (2489) For more information about rabies visit www.hamilton.ca/rabies
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