Sask. sees increase in rabies cases

By Susan McNeil

An increase in the amount of rabies cases in Saskatchewan has prompted a public health warning advising people get themselves and their pets vaccinated.

Dr. David Torr, medical health officer with the SHA, said that while many of the cases right now are in more southern areas of the province, bats and rabies can be found anywhere.

“This year we’ve had many more encounters with bats than we usually do and as a result, we’ve been able to have some of these bats captured and tested,” he said.

“A number of them have tested positive for rabies.”

Bats are just one source of rabies infections. Skunks, cats (especially strays) and dogs are also a common source of infection.

People are advised to not handle bats that have found their way inside buildings. Instead, they can call to get some help removing the creatures.

Calls can be made to either an Animal Control officer or Conservation Officers.

Just this past weekend, a rabid bat was found in Saskatoon.

“Rabies is a highly fatal disease. It has no treatment but we do have a vaccine we can give when someone has been exposed to it,” Torr said.

Rabies is the most fatal virus on Earth, killing 99.99 per cent of people infected with it. It can lay dormant in your system for several months before affecting your central nervous system.

Fortunately, the rabies vaccine is just as effective, preventing illness if given directly after exposure to the virus.

According to the most recent numbers from Agriculture Saskatchewan for July 2023, two cases of human contact with rabid bats were confirmed.

So far this year, 120 animals have been tested, 13 of them bats, three cats, two dogs and one horse.

Two rabies cases were confirmed in bats in the RM of Corman Park, next to Saskatoon in May.

Another positive case was identified in Corman Park in July and a fourth case in the RM of Moose Jaw.

Two more cases in Corman Park were identified in June but have not yet been confirmed by the CFIA laboratory.

In 2022, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency numbers show Saskatchewan with nine positive cases, seven in bats and two in horses.

“The other concern we have is that cats or pets have also brought in bats and these bats, when tested, have been found to be positive as well,” Torr said.

Animals owners should make sure their pets are updated with their rabies vaccines and watch them for signs of infection which include appearing depressed and trying to hide in isolated places.

Alternatively, some infected animals become unusually friendly and wild ones can lose their fear of humans.

Nocturnal animals might come out during the day, some can have paralysis, normally in the face or neck or have difficulty swallowing.

Some animals can become aggressive and attack objects or other animals.

Bats can find homes in unused buildings, such as lake cabins that have not had humans in them for a while.

“Even in homes themselves, within towns and cities, bats have come down chimneys. They can crawl through very small spaces in the roof or attic,” Torr explained.