Second rabid cat found in Hamilton; public health advises caution around stray animals

Hamilton officials have found a dead rabid cat inGlanbrook and they want to know if you recognize it or came into contact with it.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) notified public health on Feb. 6 that thedeadcattested positive for rabies. It'sthe second Hamilton case of rabies in a cat inless than a year. That hasn't happened in over 20 at least 20 years, the city says in a media release. The other was last summer.

Now local public health officials want to speak with anyone who might have come into contact with it. And they want to remind people that domestic pets can carry the disease.

"This cat was found near some homes," saidSusanHarding-Cruz, manager of vector borne disease at Public Health Services.

"So we want to just reinforce themessage that stray cats anddogs can have rabies and we wantpeople, to take precautionsto avoid contact withunknown animal like strays as well as wildanimals likeraccoons and skunks."

She noted the cat was found near some homes.

The tabby is an orange adult male. Its area is described as Rymal Road to the north, 5th Line to the south, Fletcher Road and Harrison Road to the east, and Pauline Johnson Road to the west between Sunday, Jan. 22 and Monday, Jan. 30.

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Anyone who has lost, abandoned, fed or came into contact with such a cat should call their local health unit to see if they need a rabies post-exposure vaccine.Haldimand-NorfolkandBranthealth units are involved in the search too.

If the cat did scratch, bite or otherwise infect someone, that person will likely die without treatment, said Harding-Cruz.

"It is 100 per cent fatal, generally, unless we can get shots into them to protect them," she said.

Officials attribute this caseto the resurgence of raccoon rabies in Hamilton. The CFIA is testing to see if this is that same raccoon strain of rabies. It expects results next week.

After years without a case in Ontario, rabies has pushed back into the area in a big way since last year. More than 200 rabid animals have been found, including raccoons, skunks and bats.

It will take three to five years to eradicate rabies here, Harding-Cruz said.

Here's how to keep your pets safe:

• Avoid contact with live or dead animals. This includesraccoons, skunks, bats, and unknown dogs and cats. Don't feed, help, or relocate any wildlife, and don't keep them as pets.
• Vaccinate your pets against rabies. Keep the vaccinations current. It protects themand prevents spreading rabies to people.
• Report animal bites and scratches to public health by calling 905-546-CITY (2489). Wash wounds with soap and water, and get medical attention.
• Report sick, injured, or strange behaving wildlife to City of Hamilton Animal Services. Call 905-546-CITY (2489).