rabies reported in second cat in montérégie region
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raccoon rabies has been found in animals in godmanchester and st-anicet, in the southwest of quebec near the u.s. and ontario borders.
montreal gazette
a second cat infected with raccoon rabies was reported in the montérégie region, quebec health officials said monday.santé québec's local division for the area said three people "had to receive preventive rabies treatment after having potential contact with the animal." this time, the infected feline was found on july 31 in st-anicet, 70 kilometres southwest of montreal."this situation emphasizes the importance of keeping pets' vaccinations up to date and avoiding contact with unfamiliar animals," it said in a statement published online.last month, quebec's ministry of agriculture, fisheries and food reported the province's first confirmed cases of raccoon rabies in a domestic cat in godmanchester.santé québec says rabies is "always fatal in both animals and humans once symptoms appear.""it is therefore essential to avoid all contact with any wild or unfamiliar domestic animal, even if it seems harmless, healthy, or dead. it is also important to remind children not to approach unfamiliar animals and to inform an adult if they do," the agency said.if you are bitten, scratched or come into contact with the saliva of an animal with suspected rabies, you should wash the affected part for 10 to 15 minutes and call info-santé at 811 immediately. "preventive treatment against rabies, administered promptly after contact with an infected animal, prevents the disease from developing in humans," the agency said.if you've seen an animal with suspected rabies, you can contact 1-877-346-6763 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. monday to friday, or fill out an online form any time at quebec.ca/raccoonrabies.a rabies vaccination blitz is currently underway for quebec wildlife, including in nine montreal-area parks.
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