A second cat in Saint-Anicet, Quebec, has been diagnosed with raccoon rabies this summer, prompting three individuals to undergo preventative treatment after encountering the infected animal, as per a Santé Québec Montérégie-Centre news release on Monday. The discovery of this case follows a previous incident where a cat in Godmanchester, also located in Montérégie, was confirmed to have the viral disease.
Santé Québec emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date vaccinations for pets, especially as the raccoon rabies outbreak continues to spread across the Estrie, Montérégie, and Centre-du-Québec regions. Public health authorities are advising pet owners to prevent their animals from roaming freely outdoors without supervision and to avoid contact with unfamiliar domestic or wild creatures, regardless of their appearance or health status.
In the event of being bitten, scratched, or exposed to the saliva of a potentially rabid animal, individuals are advised to wash the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes and contact Info-Santé at 811 immediately for prompt preventive treatment. To prevent the disease from progressing, timely intervention is crucial.
Animals infected with rabies may display altered behavior, aggression, a tendency to bite and withdraw, reduced appetite, excessive drooling, or unsteady movements. Should a pet exhibit these signs, it should be isolated to limit interaction with other animals and humans and promptly examined by a veterinarian.
The Environment Ministry announced the first case of raccoon rabies in the Centre-du-Québec region, specifically in Saint-Eugène-de-Grantham. Residents in the Eastern Townships, Montérégie, and Centre-du-Québec are urged to report deceased, injured, disoriented, paralyzed, or unusually aggressive raccoons, skunks, or foxes via an online form. For those outside these regions, potential rabid wildlife sightings can be reported to the Environment Ministry at 1-877-346-6763.