More calls for protection after rabid bat bites person, dog

Saskatchewan has seen a spike in reported cases of rabies this year – and now we’re learning about an incident involving a human.

A person was bitten by a rabid bat in Blaine Lake last week.

This after a dog was bitten at an off-leash dog park in Saskatoon.
 
“It is circulating in the animal populations,” said Dr. John Ayres, with the Norsask Veterinary Group in Rosthern. “We don’t hear about rabies and quite often people taking it for granted that it’s just something that doesn’t happen.”

Saskatchewan Agriculture is reminding people to vaccinate all pets and livestock as the best defense against rabies.
 
It is also important to watch out for signs of rabies in both domestic and wild animals.

Signs of rabies include: 

• Paralysis affecting the face or neck causing difficulty swallowing
• Animals becoming excited or aggressive and attacking objects, people or other animals 
• Domestic animals trying to hide in isolated areas
• Wild animals losing fear of humans and appearing unusually friendly
• Wild animals that normally come out at night, coming out during the day

This year Saskatchewan has seen twice as many cases compared to the previous two years.