Island Health Issues Rabies Alert for Chemainus Road Area Kitten
Island Health is advising anyone who had direct contact with a kitten in the 8000-block of Chemainus Road between July 2 and July 9 to contact the Communicable Disease Program at 250-519-3575 for assessment. This advisory is issued out of an abundance of caution, as the kitten has tested positive for rabies.
Rabies is a viral disease transmitted through the saliva of infected mammals,most commonly via a bite.The virus targets the brain and nervous system, and if left untreated, is almost always fatal. While the likelihood of others being exposed is considered low, Island Health is taking precautionary measures.
Individuals who did not have contact with a kitten in the specified area and timeframe are not considered at risk and do not need to contact the communicable Disease Program. Island Health emphasizes that emergency departments should only be used for emergencies requiring immediate medical attention.
Public Health has identified and is providing follow-up care to all individuals deemed at risk of exposure after July 9. Though, the kitten may have transmitted the infection through bites or scratches occurring from July 2 onwards.
The exact source of the kitten’s rabies infection is pending test results, but Island Health anticipates it was contracted from a bat, which is the source of nearly all rabies cases in British Columbia over the past 25 years. While rabies is prevalent in various wild animals in other parts of Canada, in B.C., the virus is primarily carried by certain bat species. Unusual behavior in pets or other animals can be an indicator of rabies infection.
Rabies is a serious but preventable disease, and prompt medical intervention is crucial. Keeping pets vaccinated against rabies is essential for both preventing infection and for facilitating assessments of animals exhibiting symptoms consistent with rabies.
