Chatham-Kent Public Health is reminding residents to avoid direct contact with wildlife following an increase in preventable encounters with bats and raccoons in the community, which have led to a growing number of people requiring Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
Rabies is a serious viral disease affecting the nervous system that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, though human cases remain rare and are treatable with timely medical intervention. Health officials say avoiding contact with wildlife remains the best protection.
“Many of the recent wildlife encounters we’ve investigated were avoidable,” said Joshua Standel, CK Public Health Healthy Environments Program Manager. “Even animals that appear healthy, friendly, injured, or orphaned can carry rabies. We encourage residents to admire wildlife from a distance and never attempt to touch, feed, or handle wild animals.”
Bats and raccoons are among the species most commonly associated with rabies exposures in Ontario. Public health officials are asking residents to keep their distance from wildlife, teach children not to approach wild animals, ensure pets are up to date on rabies vaccinations, and contact trained animal control or wildlife professionals if an animal appears sick, injured or abandoned. Anyone bitten or scratched by a wild animal, or who has had direct contact with a bat, should immediately wash the affected area with soap and water and seek medical attention, and should report the exposure to CK Public Health for assessment and follow-up.
“Protecting yourself and your family starts with keeping a respectful distance from wildlife,” Standel added. “A simple decision not to touch a wild animal can help prevent the need for rabies treatment.”
