The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit provided an update regarding rabies during the most recent Board Of Health meeting.
In 2021, a total of 436 potential rabies exposure reports were received in the area, and as per ministry requirements, a follow-up must be initiated within 24 hours due to the severity of the illness.
Public Health Inspectors are available 24 hours a day to immediately respond to suspected rabies exposures with the utilization of our on-call system.
In 2021, a total of 16 specimens were submitted for rabies testing.
One of these specimens, a bat, was positive for rabies.
In 2022, there were 27 animals submitted for testing.
Of these, three specimens were laboratory confirmed positives which were all bats.
The Health unit also made it clear that if you suspect an animal on your property has rabies, you need to contact animal control agencies – they are only brought in if someone if bitten.
