Rabies
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What is Rabies?
Rabies is a serious and almost always deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). It spreads through the saliva of infected animals, usually through bites or scratches. For example:
- A dog with rabies can pass the virus to a human through a bite.
- A bat with rabies can pass the virus through a bite.
Rabies is preventable if treated immediately after exposure. A vaccine series and immune agents (post-exposure prophylaxis) can stop the infection before it becomes deadly.
If you work with animals or could be exposed to rabid animals (e.g.,hunters and trappers), consider getting a pre-exposure vaccine series as protection.
In the NWT, rabies is a reportable disease under the Public Health Act and Reportable Disease Control Regulations.
Signs of Rabies in animals
Animals with rabies can show two types of forms:
Dumb rabies:
- Wild animals may lose their fear of humans and appear unusually friendly.
- Nocturnal animals, like bats, may be out during the day.
- Pets may seem depressed or hide in isolated places.
- Signs include drooling, lethargy, fever, vomiting, or paralysis of the limbs, neck or face.
Furious rabies:
- Animals may become aggressive and excited.
- These periods of aggression alternate with depression.
- Animals may attack objects, other animals, or even their own limbs.
How Do People Get Rabies?
People can get rabies through bites or scratches from infected animals. In the NWT, the animals most likely to carry rabies include:
- Arctic foxes, red foxes, and bats
- Wolves, coyotes, and bears (during rabies outbreak within the wildlife population)
- Domestic dogs
As a rule, treat any animal bite as a potential rabies exposure.
Symptoms of Rabies in Humans
If untreated, rabies can cause:
- Fever, headaches, or tiredness
- Tingling or pain near the bite or scratch
- Anxiety, irritability, or confusion
- Seizures or abnormal behaviour
- Fear of water (hydrophobia) or fresh air (aerophobia)
If not treated early, rabies infection leads to coma and death.
Rabies Prevention and Treatment
How to Stay Safe from Rabies
Follow these simple steps to protect yourself and others from rabies:
- Vaccinate your dogs and cats.
- Hunters and Trappers: Talk to a public health practitioner about a pre-exposure rabies vaccine and keep it up to date.
- Keep pets indoors at night whenever possible.
- Avoid stray or wild animals, and be cautious with other people's pets.
- Never touch or feed wild animals, especially foxes.
- Teach children to avoid wild or stray animals.
- Don't handle sick or dead animals – report them to your local ECC office.
- Keep garbage and other wildlife attractants secure.
What to Do After an Animal Bite?
If you are bitten or scratched by any animal:
- Wash the wound immediately with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
- Contact your health provider or local health center right away. They will report the bite to the Environmental Health Unit for investigation.
Important: Bat bites can be small and hard to notice. If you have had direct contact with a bat or one in the same room while sleeping, contact your health provider or local health center immediately.
How is Rabies Treated After Exposure?
Rabies is preventable if treated early. After exposure, treatment includes:
- A series of vaccine injections and immunoglobulins to help your immune system destroy the virus.
For more detailed information about rabies treatment, click here.
Animal Confinement After a Bite
If an animal bites someone, it must be confined and monitored for 10 days:
- Keep the animal on a leash and away from other animals.
- Limit contact to one person for feeding and care.
- Watch for any signs of rabies, such as unusual behaviour.
If the animal shows no symptoms after 10 days, it does not have rabies.
Roles and Responsibilities in Rabies Prevention
For Bite Victims:
- Collect the animal owner's name and contact information.
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Write down details about the incident and share them with your health care provider or local authorities.
For Pet Owners:
- Keep your pet’s vaccinations up-to-date.
- Limit your pet's contact with wildlife.
- If your pet bites someone, provide information to the victim and authorities.
- DO NOT euthanize or remove your pet during the 10-day observation period.
- If your pet was bitten by or was in contact with wildlife, contact your local Wildlife Officer.
For Health Care Providers:
- Healthcare providers will treat injuries and gather details about the bite.
- Consult the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer to determineif rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (RPEP) is needed.
For Community Governments:
- Enforce animal safety regulations as per the Dog Act.
- Partner with veterinarians to run vaccine campaigns.
- Designate safe areas, such as off-leash for pets.
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
For Environmental Health Officers (EHOs):
- Investigates reported animal bites and assesses rabies risk.
- Collects data and publishes reports on animal bites in the NWT.
- Partners with communities, veterinarians, and organizations to promote animal vaccination.
For the Communicable Disease Control Unit (CDCU):
- Guides healthcare providers on rabies risk and treatment.
- Develops policies for managing animal bites and rabies prevention.
For more information:
- Bats and Rabies in Canada (Government of Canada)