Animal bites could pose danger: health unit
By Sue Tiffin
After
a noteworthy surge of animal bite investigations since the spring, the
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is reminding
residents to enjoy wild animals from a distance, ask permission before
touching an unknown pet, and ensure their own pets’ vaccinations are up
to date.
a noteworthy surge of animal bite investigations since the spring, the
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is reminding
residents to enjoy wild animals from a distance, ask permission before
touching an unknown pet, and ensure their own pets’ vaccinations are up
to date.
In
2019 so far, the health unit has investigated almost 300 local
incidents of animal bites or scratches to humans. A case of rabies being
contracted locally by animal or human has not occurred according to
specimens tested in 2019, but the health unit is concerned about the
high number of animal bites or exposures – about two-thirds of the
incidents have happened since April 1.
2019 so far, the health unit has investigated almost 300 local
incidents of animal bites or scratches to humans. A case of rabies being
contracted locally by animal or human has not occurred according to
specimens tested in 2019, but the health unit is concerned about the
high number of animal bites or exposures – about two-thirds of the
incidents have happened since April 1.
“During
the warmer weather months, we typically see an increase in the number
of incidents in which people are bitten or scratched by animals,” notes
Richard Ovcharovich, manager of environment health with the HKPR
District Health Unit in a press release. “But what’s concerning to us is
the significant jump in cases so far this spring and summer.”
The
annual number of animal bites to humans investigated locally has varied
over the past years: 511 animal bites were investigated in 2018, 388
animal bites in 2017, 514 animal bites in 2016 and 488 bites in 2015.
the warmer weather months, we typically see an increase in the number
of incidents in which people are bitten or scratched by animals,” notes
Richard Ovcharovich, manager of environment health with the HKPR
District Health Unit in a press release. “But what’s concerning to us is
the significant jump in cases so far this spring and summer.”
The
annual number of animal bites to humans investigated locally has varied
over the past years: 511 animal bites were investigated in 2018, 388
animal bites in 2017, 514 animal bites in 2016 and 488 bites in 2015.
“When
I saw the numbers at 291 by July, we’re on route to a record year which
is not a record I want to beat,” Ovcharovich told the Times.
I saw the numbers at 291 by July, we’re on route to a record year which
is not a record I want to beat,” Ovcharovich told the Times.
Typically
of the animal bites the health unit investigates, between 61 and 69 per
cent are dog bites, 24 to 31 per cent are cat bites, between six and 16
per cent are bites from wildlife and the rest are from animals like
cows, goats, sheep and horses.
of the animal bites the health unit investigates, between 61 and 69 per
cent are dog bites, 24 to 31 per cent are cat bites, between six and 16
per cent are bites from wildlife and the rest are from animals like
cows, goats, sheep and horses.
Ovcharovich
said it’s essential that people are vaccinating their pets. In 2017, of
the animal bites investigated, 60 per cent of the dogs were vaccinated,
while 30 per cent of the cats were vaccinated. Goats, skunks, foxes,
raccoons and bats have tested positive for rabies in this area in recent
years.
said it’s essential that people are vaccinating their pets. In 2017, of
the animal bites investigated, 60 per cent of the dogs were vaccinated,
while 30 per cent of the cats were vaccinated. Goats, skunks, foxes,
raccoons and bats have tested positive for rabies in this area in recent
years.
The health unit is reminding the public that domestic pets should be approached with caution.
“Ensure
you have permission and full attention of the owner before approaching a
pet,” Ovcharovich advises. “Even if you are just being kind or
well-meaning by petting or touching an animal, your actions can be
misinterpreted by a dog or cat, which could scratch, nip or bite you.”
you have permission and full attention of the owner before approaching a
pet,” Ovcharovich advises. “Even if you are just being kind or
well-meaning by petting or touching an animal, your actions can be
misinterpreted by a dog or cat, which could scratch, nip or bite you.”
According
to the health unit’s press release, rabies is a serious disease caused
by a virus and is fatal if left untreated. The health unit must be
notified any time an animal bites or scratches a person. Public health
inspectors will investigate each incident to determine if there is a
risk of rabies to the person.
to the health unit’s press release, rabies is a serious disease caused
by a virus and is fatal if left untreated. The health unit must be
notified any time an animal bites or scratches a person. Public health
inspectors will investigate each incident to determine if there is a
risk of rabies to the person.
If
a domestic animal is involved, it is quarantined – often at home – for a
10-day period to confirm that it was not sick with rabies when it bit
or scratched the victim.
The health unit provides rabies vaccine for
a person, if deemed necessary by a health care provider. To learn more,
call the health unit at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5006, or visit www.hkpr.on.ca.
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