A Lethbridge woman was bitten by a bat and infected by rabies.
Rabies in humans can be fatal if not treated
After a Lethbridge woman was bit by a rabid bat last week, Alberta Health Services is warning that many wild mammals – including bats, coyotes, raccoons and skunks – can carry rabies, and humans and pets can be infected.
Once rabies symptoms appear in humans, the disease is almost always fatal.
Rabies is a viral disease that can spread from other species. It attacks the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals and once symptoms appear rabies is almost always fatal. Rabies treatment includes washing the wound thoroughly and seeking immediate media attention.
If bitten or scratched by a stray or wild animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, and contact your local public health office as soon as possible. You can also call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-LINK (5465).
“Each year in Alberta, a number of bats test positive for rabies,” says Dr. Vivien Suttorp, Medical Officer of Health for the South Zone of Alberta Health Services. “Bats can pass rabies onto other bats, pets or stray animals.”
Stray dogs, cats and ferrets can also carry the rabies virus. Vaccination of household pets decreases the risk.
Any household pet bitten by a wild animal should be immediately taken to a veterinarian.
To avoid contact with the rabies virus:
- Avoid contact with bats
- Have pets vaccinated against rabies. If you aren’t the first owner of your pet, ask for a certificate of rabies vaccination. If no document exists, confirm with the pet’s veterinarian that the pet got the vaccine
- Never touch or try to pet or catch a wild or stray animal. Teach children to avoid these animals
- Secure garbage and other items that attract animals
- Secure open areas of your home, such as pet doors, chimneys, unscreened windows or any place that wild or stray animals could enter
- Never handle a dead animal without proper protection
Alberta residents, tell us what you think of the Canadian oil sands by filling out this brief survey.