Rabies is a preventable but fatal disease.

**** Via NSHA Rabies is a preventable but fatal disease. Here in Nova Scotia, rabies is most commonly found in wild bats, raccoons, foxes, coyotes and skunks. Rabies is a viral infection that can spread to humans primarily through direct contact with saliva from an infected animal, most commonly from a bite. Even tiny or not visible bites or scratches from animals like bats, can transmit the virus. There is no effective treatment for rabies once a person has developed it but there are highly effective vaccines and antibodies (known as post-exposure prophylaxis) that can be given following a possible exposure to rabies that can prevent the disease from developing. To reduce the risk of rabies: • keep away from sick or dead animals • avoid touching or feeding unknown, stray or wild animals • routinely vaccinate your pets and livestock against rabies – and keep them up to date! If you’ve had contact with a bat or another animal that may be infected with rabies, you should: • wash the wound with soap and water right away for 15-20 minutes • immediately seek medical care to determine whether post-exposure preventative measures should be started. For more information on rabies in Canada, click here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/rabies.html