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Rabies is a viral infection affecting the nervous system. Although rare in Canada, rabies is almost always fatal for both animals and people once symptoms appear. That’s why we asked infectious diseases expert Dr. Michaeline McGuinty for advice to help protect you and your furry friends.
How rabies is spread
Rabies is primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually through bites. Most human cases of rabies result from bites by infected dogs, particularly in areas with inadequate vaccination coverage.
Rabies vaccine
Preventing rabies primarily involves vaccination for both domestic pets and persons at high risk of exposure, such as those working directly with animals. If you will be travelling to a place where rabies is more common and you will be in contact with animals, talk to your health-care provider about the rabies vaccine. And whether at home or abroad, you should always avoid direct contact with stray animals.
What to do after a bite
Post-exposure prophylaxis (RPEP) can protect an exposed person from developing rabies, but it only works if administered very soon after the bite. If you are bitten by a wild animal or a potentially unvaccinated pet, you should always go directly to an emergency room or call your local public health unit to determine whether post-exposure prophylaxis is needed to prevent rabies.
Learn more
To learn more about rabies, check out this video with Dr. McGuinty from The Ottawa Hospital’s YouTube Health series.
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