ISSUE
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit’s (WECHU) Rabies Prevention Board of Health Informational Report from September 2024 highlighted the on-going risk of rabies to Ontario residents, reaffirmed from the recent identification of the province’s first human rabies death since 1967. This case, involving exposure to a rabid bat, underscores the persisting risk of rabies transmission to humans. The frequency of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) issued in response to potential high-risk rabies exposures puts considerable strain on healthcare resources. The on-going public risk and status of rabies prevention emphasizes an opportunity for strengthened public health interventions to mitigate risk in high-risk animal interactions, and potential human exposure incidents.
BACKGROUND
Rabies is transmitted through the bite or scratch of infected animals, primarily wildlife such as bats, racoons, skunks, and foxes, as they are known reservoirs for rabies. Generally, rabies is less likely to occur in domestic animals, compared to stray or wild animals. Domestic animals are more likely to be vaccinated and may spend less time outdoors where exposure to a potentially rabid animal could occur. Reported exposure from a wild or outdoor animal is considered to yield a higher risk of rabies transmission as part of the overall assessment of risk.
Effective wildlife vaccination programs, domestic animal licensing and vaccination policies, public education, and proactive policy measures for high-risk animal control are critical components of a comprehensive local rabies prevention strategy.
Keeping domestic animals (pets) up to date on vaccination is an important strategy to reduce the risk of rabies exposure in the community. In WEC, approximately 60% of domestic animals are not current on their rabies vaccination, contrary to the Ontario Regulation 567: Rabies Immunization. These animals are more susceptible to contracting rabies, which could lead to increasing rates of exposure and human transmission.
Currently, most local municipal licensing requirements for residents are limited to dogs and do not take into consideration the vaccination status of the animal (i.e. licences are provided regardless of whether animals are up to date with rabies vaccination recommendations). Broadening animal licensing by-laws to require up-to date vaccination records, and to expand licensing requirements to include all common domestic animals (i.e., cats and ferrets) known to be capable of carrying and transmitting rabies, are effective ways for municipalities to reduce exposure risks. With comprehensive by-laws in place, ongoing by-law enforcement and compliance efforts can result in greater preventative results. Recognizing the significant cost barrier that exists for both animal licensing and animal vaccination services, it is also important that municipalities integrate opportunities for low-cost access to such services in order to ensure barrier free compliance pathways for all local populations.
As noted, exposure from a wild or outdoor animal is considered to yield a higher risk of rabies transmission than exposures involving domestic animals. In addition to exposures that occur in nature and an animals habitat area, rabies exposures can occur when residents attempt to remove high-risk animals (i.e. bats) that have entered a home, public, or living space. To date in 2024, 20 high-risk animal rabies exposures have been investigated; in three of these cases, improper removal of animals resulted in PEP being issued at an average cost of $2,000 per case. Attempting to remove wild animals without proper protection and training can lead to preventable risk points. Procuring wildlife trapping specialists that are trained and certified although recommended, can be costly for individuals and families. Exploring opportunities to provide accessible and affordable animal removal services is an important measure that communities can support to reduce human rabies exposures, and the costs associated with exposure investigations and post exposure care costs.
PROPOSED MOTION
WHEREAS, rabies is almost always fatal in humans once symptoms develop; and
WHEREAS, rabies is present in our community with bats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks as the most common wildlife carriers; and
WHEREAS, immunization requirements for domestic animals are a key prevention and management strategy in Ontario to reduce rabies exposure risks; and
WHEREAS, municipal animal licensing strategies are an effective way for communities to clarify what animals can and cannot be kept as pets and what regulations pet owners must follow in caring for them; and
WHEREAS, there are opportunities for communities to prevent high-risk animal exposures through accessible and affordable wildlife removal services; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health encourages all local municipalities to review, strengthen, and enforce animal licensing by-laws and include provisions that consider the immunization status of domestic animals as a part of the licensing process.
AND FURTHER THAT, the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health recommends local municipalities explore opportunities to coordinate accessible and affordable animal removal services for residents to reduce instances of high-risk rabies exposures in the community.