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Rabies

Author: Dr. Jocelyn Jansen - Veterinary Scientist, Ruminants/OMAFRA
Creation Date: June 2002
Last Reviewed: June 2002

Table of Contents

  1. Cause and Transmission
  2. Occurence
  3. Figure 1: Number of Cases of Rabies in Ontario for the Years 1988-2001
  4. Table 1: Percentage of Cases of Rabies in Ontario by Region by Year
  5. Clinical Signs
  6. Treatment
  7. Prevention
  8. Reference
  9. Related Links

Cause and Transmission

  • Rabies is caused by a virus (Lyssavirus).
  • It can infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans.
  • The animals that most often transmit infection in Canada are foxes, raccoons, skunks and bats.
  • Usually spread by saliva that contains the virus, often by the bite of an infected animal.
  • More rarely, virus from saliva can be introduced into open cuts or wounds. Saliva can also infect by contact with a mucous membrane (mouth, nasal cavity, eyes).
  • Raccoon rabies poses the same risks as rabies in other animals - the only difference is that it is spread primarily by raccoons.

Occurance

  • Rabies is a reportable disease - if an animal is suspected of being rabid or an animal(s) has been exposed to rabies, it is the law to report it.
  • Call your nearest office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which is listed in the blue pages of the phone book - an inspector from the agency will investigate all calls.
  • The wildlife baiting (vaccination) program of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has dramatically decreased the level of rabies in the province (Figure 1, Table 1) - but the risk is not zero.
  • Pockets of rabies can occur depending on the wildlife ecology of the area.

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Figure 1: Number of Cases of Rabies in Ontario for the Years 1988 - 2001

Figure 1: Number of Cases of Rabies in Ontario for the Years 1988 - 2001

Table 1: Percentage of Cases of Rabies in Ontario by Region by Year

Year		 Total Number of Cases

Region of Ontario
Northern (%) Eastern (%) Central (%) Western (%) Southern (%)
1988

1830

41
15
23
29
30
1989
1870
10
18
22
25
25
1990
1610
8

16

16
34
25
1991
1233
14
16
27
30
15
1992
1371
21
4
25
25
26
1993

1238

2
1
23
42
31
1994
613
2
2
21
43
32
1995
328
0
3
12

52

33
1996
149
7

8

23
42
20
1997
95
11
11

15

43
21
1998
79
0
11
22
57
10
1999
100
0
20
5
72
3
2000
183
19
31
10
35
4
2001
210
17
31
8
32
12

1Percent of rabies cases by region by year

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Clinical Signs

  • Incubation period varies from 2 weeks to several months.
  • Clinical signs are highly variable.
Cattle
  • yawning, bellowing, incoordination, decreased feeling in hindlimbs, loss of tail movement, drooling saliva, "cud-dropping", inability to stand, hypersensitivity, aggression, paralysis
Sheep
  • sexual excitement, wool pulling, aggression, incoordination, paralysis
Horses
  • abnormal postures, lameness, weakness, depression, muscle incoordination, inability to swallow, inability to stand, biting, aggression, hypersensitivity, loss of anal tone
Pigs
  • excitement, aggression, twitching of nose, convulsions, paralysis
Dogs and Cats
  • changes in behavior, depression, hypersensitivity, aggression, muscle incoordination, changes in vocalization, excessive salivation, paralysis
Wildlife
  • show no fear of man, aggression, incoordination, active during the day instead of at night
  • Remember that the most typical thing about rabies is that it can be atypical.

Treatment

  • None - rabies is fatal once clinical signs appear.
  • If an animal is bitten or comes in contact with a suspected rabies case, contact a veterinarian or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency immediately.
  • If a person is bitten by an animal, wash the wound or exposed surface with soap and water, remove clothing that may be contaminated, contact your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
  • Post-exposure treatment for people is effective and low risk, but expensive.

Prevention

  • Vaccinate pets and livestock - this keeps your pets and livestock from getting rabies, but also provides a barrier of protection to humans.
  • Vaccination for rabies is good insurance and an inexpensive way of protecting your livestock and pets, as well as your family and friends.
  • Ask your veterinarian about the type and frequency of rabies vaccination.
  • Enjoy wild animals (raccoons, skunks, foxes) from afar - do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals (secure garbage cans).
  • Do not approach animals showing abnormal behavior.
  • Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home - do not try to nurse sick animals to health.
  • Teach children never to approach and handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.

References

  1. Radostits, O. M., C. C. Gay, D. C. Blood, and K. W. Hinchcliff. 2000. Rabies. Pages 1201-1208 in Veterinary Medicine. 9th ed. W. B. Saunders Co. Ltd., Philadelphia, PA.

Related Links

 

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