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By Susan McNeil

Rabies

Two rabid bats found northeast of Prince Albert

Sep 5, 2024 | 1:00 PM

Routine testing on bats came up positive on two bats in the rural area northeast of Prince Albert recently.

Dr. Peter Surkan of Park Range Veterinary Services said that it is not that unusual to find infected bats in the area.

“We’ve had a couple of bats in the last while northeast of P.A., not very far out of town, that have come in positive,” he said.

Animals who are suspected to have the rabies virus are collected and euthanized if they are still alive. The animal is packaged and sent to the federal lab near Lethbridge, Alta. where its brain is checked for the disease.

Rabies is zoonotic, so it can spread between animals and humans relatively easily.

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“You want to make sure all your animals are vaccinated and if a person has any exposure, especially a bite wound or a scratch… then you’ve got to go seek medical attention.”

READ MORE: In 2023, testing showed an uptick in the amount of rabies, mainly near Saskatoon.

The top suspects for rabies in Canada are bats, skunks, foxes and racoons.

Some species can survive longer with rabies in their system and they tend to be reservoirs for the virus.

“And in our area in Saskatchewan, by far the two most commonly diagnosed ones are skunks as well as bats,” he said.

In other provinces, such as Ontario, that have a different subspecies of rabies in which raccoons and foxes are more likely suspects. Other continents such Africa see rabies in dogs.

Because dogs interact with humans, rabies deaths in Africa and Asia average about 59,000 annually. According to the World Health Organization, 99 per cent of human cases of rabies come from dogs.

In the slim chance people in Saskatchewan see unusual behaviour in their pets or in wild animals, they should call a vet clinic. The clinic will call the CFIA representative who will come and collect the animal.

Even cattle have tested positive for rabies.

“I had a farm client in this morning and said, oh, my dog doesn’t leave the farm. And I said yes, but skunks and bats come to your farm all the time. And I would certainly recommend making sure dogs get vaccinated too,” Surkan said.

Rabies can exhibit in different ways. (CFIA website)

Surkan said people should not worry, just be aware of the possibility that an animal might be infected and be cautious.

The rabies vaccine is highly effective and can be given to humans after exposure but must be administered before symptoms or it is virtually always fatal.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com