Latest news with #CKPublicHealth
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Bat tests positive for rabies in Chatham-Kent, prompting public health warning
This is an undated photo of a silver-haired bat, the species most often associated with human rabies. (AP Photo/Merlin D. Tuttle, Bat Conservation International). Chatham-Kent Public Health is urging residents to take precautions after a bat recently tested positive for rabies in the region. Officials are reminding the public to avoid wild, aggressive or stray animals and to take simple preventative steps to protect themselves, their families and pets. 'Rabies remains nearly 100 per cent fatal once clinical symptoms develop, and without immediate medical intervention following an exposure, the outcome is almost always tragic,' said Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, acting medical officer of health for Chatham-Kent. 'That's why prompt reporting of any bite or scratch and timely post-exposure treatment is extremely important.' Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is most commonly spread through the saliva of infected animals via bites or scratches. Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, dogs and cats can all carry and transmit the virus. Dr. Nesathurai said although human rabies cases in Canada are rare, any exposure carries serious risk. 'Rabies prevention is a shared responsibility,' he said. 'By vaccinating pets, avoiding wildlife contact and reporting animal exposure incidents to CK Public Health, we can all play a part in keeping our community safe.' The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is also highlighting the ongoing risk of rabies in the region. 'This disease is 100 per cent preventable,' said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex. Officials stress the importance of avoiding physical contact with all wild animals — even those that appear healthy. 'The best approach is to call Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources if you see any wild animals acting strangely, and get help from experts to deal with wildlife,' Aloosh said. Residents are encouraged to seek medical attention right away if they have contact with a bat or are bitten or scratched by any animal. 'People can call us 24 hours, seven days per week. They can call their health care provider, family physician, to get an assessment. And if there's a risk, then we go to the next step with prevention, which is completely free and prevents this deadly disease.' Dr. Aloosh says the virus continues to circulate in local wildlife populations. 'We know that rabies is circulating in wildlife in our region and in Ontario. We know that bats carry the virus. We know that skunks, raccoons, fox, and other species that carry virus. So we should consider all of them, an exposure, a potential exposure for humans and make sure that we are away from the wildlife.' 'We haven't had any cases for decades,' the Aloosh added. 'We haven't had a human case for decades and that shows the importance of awareness of our population, of our community that when they're exposed, they reach out for help.' According to the health unit, over 1,000 human exposures were investigated last year, with 627 bite investigations so far this year — most involving dogs and cats. 'We have seen bats in houses or even when you try to get to be away from wildlife, the wildlife might expose you to the virus and that's when you need to get help of the professionals. Don't touch that bat. Make sure that you're not exposed when you're trying to guide that animal outside of your house. I think that that's really important,' the spokesperson said. 'The other fact about having a circulating virus in the wildlife and zero human cases shows the awareness of our community, and getting help. It talks also about the effectiveness of the vaccine and the treatment that we have available. That's 100 per cent saved lives.' As officials work to raise awareness about rabies, bats are also getting attention of a different kind at Point Pelee National Park. Dan Riskin, CTV's science and technology specialist, is in the region Saturday night to host a talk called 'The Wonderful World of Bats.' 'People shouldn't be scared of bats because they're part of a natural, healthy ecosystem. So when you see a great blue heron, you don't get freaked out. That's just an animal that lives in your world. Bats are like that,' said Riskin. 'If you see bats flying around, you're not in any danger at all. If you touch a bat, you're vulnerable to rabies because if the bat does have the disease, that's how you're going to get it. It's either going to scratch you or bite you. Even the smallest little bite can pass on the virus.' 'And the thing about rabies is, if you wait until you get symptoms, you're almost certain to die. You have to get treated right away. So here's my advice. If you see bats, it's great. If they're flying around, it's great. Nothing to worry about. If someone comes into contact with a bat or a kid, you suspect it came into contact with a bat. Take them to a doctor. Make sure they get rabies shots as a preventative measure. And that way if they do get the virus, they're going to be totally fine.' Meantime, CK Public Health and WECHU are asking anyone who comes into contact with a bat — or who finds one in their home — to contact a licensed pest control professional to safely remove the animal and seal up any entry points. Officials say exposure incidents should be reported to the health unit immediately.
CBC
7 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Bat tests positive for rabies in Chatham-Kent, prompting warning from health unit
Public Health officials in Chatham-Kent are warning people to avoid wild, aggressive or stray animals after a bat tested positive for rabies. They are also urging people to take other measures to protect themselves, their families and their pets. "Rabies remains nearly 100 per cent fatal once clinical symptoms develop, and without immediate medical intervention following an exposure, the outcome is almost always tragic," said Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, acting medical officer of health for Chatham-Kent, in a news release. "That's why prompt reporting of any bite or scratch and timely post-exposure treatment is extremely important." Rabies is a viral disease that infects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, most often via bites or scratches. It's common for bats to be infected with rabies, so the positive test in Chatham-Kent is "concerning but not unexpected," CK Public Health said in the release. Other animals that can spread rabies include raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, dogs and cats. Human rabies cases in Canada are rare, but any exposure to a rabid animal carries a serious risk, the health unit said. It urged people to take the following steps to protect themselves and their loved ones and pets. Ensure pets are vaccinated against rabies and keep their records up to date. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a rabid animal, contact your veterinarian immediately. Supervise pets outdoors—keep them on a leash or within a securely fenced area. Stay away from wild, stray or aggressive animals. Do not touch, feed or move young, sick or injured wildlife. Never keep wild animals as pets; they can harbour diseases harmful to humans and domestic animals. Report stray animals to local animal control services. If you find bats or other wild animals inside your home, contact a licensed pest control company to safely remove them and seal any entry points. Officials advise anyone that has had contact with a bat or has been bitten or scratched by an animal to seek medical attention immediately report the exposure promptly to CK Public Health.
CBC
07-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Measles case confirmed, 3 community exposure points reported in Chatham-Kent
Health officials in Chatham-Kent have identified a case of measles in the community, just days after Windsor's public health unit also confirmed a case. The case is in a child who attended Chatham Christian School, and the CK Public Health says families of affected students have been notified. Health officials have also identified three points of exposure: Thamesview Family Health Team at 465 Grand Ave. W. on March 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thamesview Family Health Team at 465 Grand Ave. W. on March 6 from 2:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Emergency Department at 80 Grand Ave. W. on Feb. 15 from 2:35 p.m. to 5:31 p.m. Later Friday afternoon, health officials identified six more points of exposure in the community. YMCA Chatham at 101 Courthouse Lane on Feb. 25, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Chatham Christian School Celebration of Learning Event at 475 Keil Dr. S. on Feb. 27 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Chatham Christian School Discovery Day Kindergarten registration at 475 Keil Dr. S. on Feb. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. No Frills Chatham at 835 Queen St. on March 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tilbury Walk-In Clinic at 15 Mill St. E. on March 5 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tilbury Walk-In Clinic at 15 Mill St. E. on March 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Anyone who was present at these locations during these time frames and is not up to date on their vaccinations is asked to call CK Public Health at 519-352-7270 ext. 5902. If you have symptoms of measles and need to visit a health care provider, CK Public Health advises residents to call first and tell them you have had a measles exposure and symptoms to they can prepare to prevent exposure. Symptoms can include a fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. A red rash appears on the face three to seven days after the start of the above symptoms," public health says. "The rash may start from the face and progress down the body." CK Public Health says that the "vast majority" of people are vaccinated and the risk of contracting the potentially deadly virus is small for the community at large — though people are urged to confirm they are up -to-date on their vaccinations. Earlier this week, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit identified a case of measles in a child who attended Cornerstone Christian Academy in Ruthven.
