The Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ) has confirmed that a stray cat who attacked three people in Godmanchester on July 23 was infected with the deadly raccoon rabies virus.
The virus has been spreading among wildlife in the region, with at least nine cases confirmed in the Haut-Saint-Laurent since the start of the year, in Godmanchester, Hinchinbrooke, Elgin, and Saint-Anicet.
The ministry warns that this recent case involving a stray cat demonstrates that the virus can be transmitted to domestic animals, emphasizing the importance of vaccinating pets against rabies and ensuring vaccinations are up to date.
“The individuals identified as having been exposed have already been contacted and are being cared for by healthcare professionals,” said Marie-France Meloche, a public health promotion advisor with the Huntingdon CLSC.
Rabies is fatal and incurable in both humans and animals once symptoms appear. Prevention is the best method for protecting animals and those who encounter a wild or unknown animal. An individual who is bitten or scratched by an animal that might be infected, or one who comes in contact with the animal’s saliva, should wash the affected area for 15 minutes and contact Info-Santé at 811 immediately. Rabies treatments can prevent people from becoming infected with the disease when administered shortly after exposure to the infected animal.
Health officials are also required to report suspected or confirmed cases of rabies to the authorities to ensure appropriate public health and animal health measures are implemented as quickly as possible to protect the public and limit the spread of the disease.
To reduce the risk of infection, pet owners should vaccinate their animals, avoid contact with wild or unknown animals, and refrain from allowing cats and dogs to roam freely outdoors unsupervised in order to prevent contact with wildlife. It is important to contact a veterinarian immediately if a pet comes into contact with a wild animal, and to isolate any pet showing changes in behaviour or other symptoms consistent with rabies, such as excessive drooling, paralysis, lameness, disorientation, or unusual aggression.
The Ormstown Veterinary Hospital has announced it will hold two rabies vaccination clinics in response to the elevated cases of rabies in local wildlife. The clinics will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. on August 15 and on September 12 in the garage located behind the veterinary clinic.
People wishing to vaccinate their pets do not have to be clients of the clinic. The vaccines will be administered without a medical exam at a cost of $30. A certificate and rabies tag will be issued.
Raccoon rabies vaccination operations for wildlife are also expected to begin shortly in this region. According to Godmanchester’s mayor, Judith Fouquet, the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte Contre les Changements Climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs has confirmed that preventive initiatives will be deployed in the area to help slow the spread of the virus.
Locals who encounter raccoons, skunks, or foxes that are dead, injured, or that appear disoriented, paralyzed, or unusually aggressive should report the animal by calling 1-877-346-6763, or by completing an online form available at Quebec.ca/raccoonrabies.