Rabies Bites!

What do I do if I am bitten or Rabies is a very serious viral disease which

scratched by an animal? attacks the central nervous system of warm-
• If the animal is owned by another person, blooded animals, including humans. Rabid animals
obtain the owner’s contact information (e.g. don’t behave normally. Often they become
name, address, phone number), so the animal aggressive or appear depressed. In Ontario, the
can be located by Public Health Inspectors animals that most often transmit rabies are bats,
• Wash the area thoroughly with soap and skunks, livestock, foxes, cats and other wildlife.
water
• Call your family doctor or seek medical atten- How do I get rabies?
tion immediately You can get the virus when exposed to the saliva
• Report the bite or scratch to the Haldimand- of an infected animal. For example, if you are bit-
Norfolk Health Unit at 519-426-6170 or ten or scratched, or if the animal licks your eyes,
905-318-6623. nose, or mouth.

What is the Haldimand-Norfolk How do I protect myself from rabies?

• Have your pet continually immunized
Health Unit’s role when an animal against rabies
bites a human? • Don’t approach or touch stray animals,
• When notified of a biting incident, health even if they seem friendly
inspectors investigate to determine if there • Don’t touch sick or injured animals
is a risk of rabies exposure. When the animal For more information on Rabies, Lyme disease • Don’t feed wild or stray animals
involved is known, the inspector will place the or West Nile Virus, visit www.hnhu.org.
animal under observation for at least 10 days How can I protect my pet
to ensure it doesn’t show any signs of rabies.
• When the animal involved is not known, the from rabies?
inspector will work with the victim and his/ The most important thing you can do to protect
her physician to ensure proper post-exposure your pet is to have it vaccinated. All pets over the
care. This often includes vaccination that is age of three months must be immunized against
given to protect them from the rabies virus. rabies. It’s the law, and failure to vaccinate your
• If the animal involved in the biting incident pet can result in a fine of $90 per day.
has since died, the inspector will request that
the animal undergo testing for the rabies virus www.hnhss.ca Protection against Keep your pets under control. Don’t let them run
to ensure the safety of the victim. 519-426-6170 • 905-318-6623 • 519-582-3579 Rabies, Lyme Disease free, especially at night. Protect your pets from
contact with wildlife.
and West Nile Virus

Updated January 2021

Lyme Disease West Nile Virus Fact Act!
Rabid animals may be found in Haldimand and Norfolk Counties. Stay away from wild animals and animals acting strangely.

Lyme disease West Nile Virus is a virus mainly transmitted to By law, pets over the age of 3 months must be vaccinated
regularly against rabies.
Vaccines need to be updated every 1-3 years. Contact your veterinarian
for more information about vaccination. You can be fined if your pet is not
Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacteria people through the bite of an infected mosquito. up-to-date with rabies vaccination.
Borrelia burgdorferi. In Ontario, these bacteria are Mosquitoes transmit the virus after becoming Any animal bite should be reported to the Health Unit. Doctors The Health Unit will investigate to assess the risk of rabies. They will place
who treat your injury must report the incident to the Health Unit. the animal under observation for 10 days to ensure it is rabies-free, and can

Rabies
spread by the bite of black-legged ticks. infected by feeding on the blood of birds that carry issue treatment for the person bitten if a physician recommends it.
the virus. If untreated, rabies infection is almost always fatal in animals Following a bite or incident, wash the affected area thoroughly with
and humans. soap and water and contact a health care professional immediately. Get
What are the symptoms? treatment as quickly as possible to prevent the chance of rabies infection.
A circular rash referred to as a “bull’s-eye” rash could What are the cte
d bird
and bec
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es
nfe in
si
be one of the earliest symptoms of an infection. If you symptoms?

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e
Fact Act!

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Most people who are

ito

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develop a “bull’s-eye” rash, fever, chills or extreme fa-

Mosqu
How Ticks are tiny! Before they feed, they are the size of a sesame • Wear light-coloured clothing. This makes it easier to find ticks on your
tigue or feel like you have the flu, it’s important to seek infected with the virus West Nile Virus seed. Tick at actual size body.
medical attention and, if known, to tell your doctor show no symptoms or is Spread • Cover up with long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Tuck you pants into
your socks.

on
when and where you were bitten. Lyme disease can they experience mild

ers
sp
Ticks can’t jump or fly. They prefer wooded and bushy areas When hiking, stay on the path and avoid contact with overgrown brush,
flu-like symptoms,

te
have serious health consequences if left untreated.

bi
o
sq
uit with high grass and plenty of leaves on the ground. They wait on vegetation and leaf litter. After time outdoors, carefully check your clothing
mo
such as fever, Infected low vegetation and then attach to hosts. and entire body for ticks.

Are there ticks in Haldimand and headache, body aches Hungry ticks can be deterred! When outdoors, use an insect repellant containing DEET. Eucalyptus
plant compounds and soybean oil are additional options. Always apply

Lyme Disease
or fatigue. The symptoms usually last for a few according to manufacturers’ instructions.
Norfolk Counties? days. Call your doctor immediately if you notice any The longer a tick is attached to your body, the higher the risk If you find a tick on your body:
The ticks that carry Lyme disease are commonly symptoms. of infection with Lyme disease. If a tick is attached to your • Use fine-pointed tweezers to grab the tick’s head and mouth parts as
found in certain areas in and around Haldimand skin for less than 24 hours, your chance of getting Lyme close to your skin as possible
disease is small. • Pull slowly. Do not twist or rotate the tick and try not to damage it
and Norfolk Counties. Locations with established • Place the tick in a plastic container or bag so the Health Unit can test it
blacklegged tick populations infected with the Lyme Did you know? • Thoroughly wash the area where you were bitten with soap and water

disease agent include: Long Point, Turkey Point, If you find a dead bird, you no longer need to call The Health Unit can submit ticks for lab testing to determine if After removing a tick from your body, if you think the tick may be a
they carry the Lyme disease bacteria. blacklegged tick, drop the tick off at the Simcoe or Caledonia Haldimand-
Wainfleet Bog Conservation Area, Rondeau Provincial the Health Unit. Using a shovel, double-bag the Norfolk Health Unit office.
Park, Point Pelee National Park, Prince Edward Point bird and put it out with your garbage or bury it at
National Wildlife Area, and the St. Lawrence Islands least two feet deep in your yard. Wash your hands
thoroughly with soap and water. Fact Act!
National Park area. However, while the potential
Only female mosquitoes bite. They are attracted to dark colours When outdoors, wear:
is low, because ticks feed on migratory birds it is and to carbon dioxide released in your breath. • Long-sleeved shirts and long pants
possible for people to encounter blacklegged ticks When outdoors, use an insect repellant according to • Light-coloured clothing

West Nile Virus

• Tightly woven clothing
almost anywhere in the province. manufacturers’ instructions.
Hungry mosquitoes can be deterred! When outdoors, use an insect repellant containing DEET. Eucalyptus plant
Amount of DEET recommended for children & adults compounds and soybean oil are other options. Always apply according to
manufacturers’ instructions.
Age group Suggested % of Recommended number Mosquitoes can sneak into your house! Don’t leave unscreened doors and windows open, especially in the evening
DEET of applications per day when mosquitoes are most active. Make sure your screens are in good
repair with no gaps or holes.
Newborn to 6 DEET is not recommended for this age group.
months Use netting or limit time outdoors at dusk and Mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water. As adults, they usually Promptly eliminate and standing water on your property to reduce mosquito
dawn to prevent mosquito bites. stay within 2 km of where they were hatched. breeding sites – including water in eaves troughs or shallow containers
such as bird baths, spare tires and flower pots. This will protect you and
6 months to 2 years 10% or less Not more than 1 (do not your neighbours.
apply to hands or face)
2 years to 12 years 10% or less Mot more than 3 If you think you may have any of the illnesses above, or have been bitten by an animal, contact your
>12 years Up to 30% Follow instructions on label doctor immediately and inform the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit at 519-426-6170 or 905-318-6623.