Test results received June 9, 2011, confirm rabies in a cow found in the area encompassed by Springmount, Jackson and Kilsyth.

Rabies is a deadly disease of the central nervous system that affects humans and other mammals. The virus is found in the saliva of a rabid animal and can spread through a bite, cut or scratch, or if the saliva comes in contact with the moist tissues of the mouth, nose or eyes. Rabies is fatal to animals and without timely treatment will also cause death in humans. There is no known treatment for rabies once the symptoms appear.

This incident is a reminder that rabies continues to be present in local wildlife and can spill over into the domestic animal population creating a human exposure risk.

Exposure can be prevented by:

• not feeding or touching a wild or unknown animal, an animal acting strangely or an animal that appears to be sick or injured

• keeping pets under control at all times

• immunizing cats, dogs and, where possible livestock against rabies (in Ontario it is the law to immunize cats, dogs and riding horses)

 For further information, call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.