Niagara's Public health department is warning of an increase in the number of animals testing positive for rabies in the region.
So far this year, 6 raccoons and 4 skunks have tested positive.
By comparison in 2017 a total of 21 animals tested positive, 12 in 2016.
They're reminding residents to avoid wild animals, especially those that appear to be in distress as you may be putting yourself at risk for injury or contracting an infection like rabies.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), along with SPCAs and Humane Societies, continue to conduct increased surveillance activities for animals with rabies.
Public Health advises residents to take the following measures to protect themselves from rabies:
Ensure pet dogs and cats have current rabies vaccinations, prevent pet dogs and cats from roaming off-leash or unsupervised, avoid all contact with wild animals and prevent contact between pets and wildlife and report wild animals exhibiting abnormal behaviour (particularly raccoons) to local humane society or animal control services.
An animal with rabies may not display symptoms, and so all bites or scratches, however mild, from an animal must be assessed to ensure the person bitten/scratched is not at risk.
Immediately report all animal bites and scratches of humans to Niagara Region Public Health at 905-688-8248, ext. 7590 or toll free 1-888-505-6074. Niagara Region Public Health is available to take calls about animal bites 24/7.
For more information about rabies, call Niagara Region Public Health at 905-688-8248, ext. 7590 or toll free 1-888-505-6074