Not every critter you meet is one you want to get close to.
The Renfrew County District Health Unit is paying special attention to rabies this fall, warning residents to immediately and thoroughly wash any scratch or bite from an animal you may suspect has the disease.
Rabies is a virus found in the saliva of infected bats, raccoons, foxes, coyotes and skunks, as well as domestic animals and humans, and can spread through bites that break skin or by getting infected saliva in an open wound, mouth, eyes, or nose.
Symptoms of rabies can start with fever, headaches, sore throat, cough, and general weakness before progressing to include insomnia, anxiety and confusion, partial paralysis, hallucinations, agitation, an increase in saliva, trouble swallowing, and fear of water. Untreated cases of rabies are 100 percent lethal, with death occurring within days of experiencing symptoms.
Keep yourself and those around you safe by always reporting animal bites and scratches with humans to the RCDHU, even if you’re not sure they are infected.
The health unit has a full page on identifying, preventing, and reporting rabies cases on their website.
(written by Kasey Egan)