The City of Martensville received an update from the Ministry of Agriculture on May 19, stating that a rabid bat had been located within the City of Martensville.
If you suspect that a wild animal may be carrying rabies, contact the Rabies Response Program (RRP) at 1-800-667-7561 or RRAV@gov.sk.ca. This program was created to help protect the health and safety of the people and domestic animals within the province. Through the RRP, private veterinarians from across the province will collect samples from suspect animals and submit them for rabies testing under direction from the program’s Rabies Risk Assessment Veterinarian (RRAV)
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health handles human exposure to potential rabies cases. If someone has been exposed to an animal that is suspected of carrying rabies, they should contact the local public health office, or the Saskatchewan HealthLine by dialing 811. If an animal bite occurred, the area should be washed immediately with soap and warm water, and the exposed individual should see their family doctor of local emergency room as soon as possible. From there, the doctor will consult with a local public health official to see if preventative treatment is necessary.
Rabies is most often found in bats, foxes, skunks and raccoons within Canada, and in Saskatchewan, most often found in skunks, and, to a lesser extent, bats. Rabies can infect domestic animals, as well as humans.
More information about rabies can be found by visiting https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/livestock/animal-health-and-welfare/rabies?fbclid=IwAR17RwEKkU1evKDTu_1zfdZwBmuAQaaaHd0Nfy2yAfx51rVxbx_IetFoyGw
