First Case of Pet Rabies in Nova Scotia

A cat in Halifax Regional Municipality has tested positive for rabies. This is the first case of rabies detected in a house pet in Nova Scotia. The cat has been euthanized and Public Health Services and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are following up on the case.

"While there's no reason for pet owners to be overly worried, rabies in pets is a concern for us because house pets have a great deal of contact with humans, and a bite or saliva from a rabid animal can pass the virus on," said Dr. Richard Gould, Medical Officer of Health and chair of the Provincial Rabies Working Group. "While rabies in domestic animals is uncommon in Nova Scotia, pet owners should have their animals immunized against rabies as a precaution. This is especially important in areas where the pets are in close proximity to wild animals".

Humans or their pets can get rabies through a bite from an infected animal. Without preventative treatment, the disease is fatal. In Nova Scotia, rabies is most likely to be transmitted to animals by infected bats.

"The two rabies cases we've seen in the province since 1998 have been in bats, the most common carriers of the virus in Nova Scotia," said Dr. Ken Chew, a veterinarian with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

"The vaccine is extremely effective in preventing rabies in pets, but it should be renewed every two years," said Dr. Troye McPherson, a spokesperson for the Veterinary Medical Association of Nova Scotia and member of the Provincial Rabies Working Group. "In terms of prevention, we also encourage people not to approach strange animals and not to attract them to visit your yard by leaving out food or garbage".

Bites from animals should be thoroughly cleaned with hot, soapy water. The local Public Health office should be contacted if the bite is from an animal suspected of having rabies.

For more information on rabies see the Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/health/reports.htm#rabies .