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Animal Bite Investigations Trending to Exceed 700 in 2017
28-Sep-2017
The Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (RQHR) investigated 675 potential rabies exposures in 2016 with 66% (or 455) of those being dog bites. Last year 55 people received the rabies vaccine post exposure, 10 of which were due to dog bite exposures. Dog bites accounted for 76% of all the reported animal bites in children aged 12 and under, however the chance of contracting rabies is very low.
September 28, 2017 has been declared World Rabies Day. This day is aimed at raising awareness about the impact of rabies, how easy it is to prevent and
how to eliminate the main sources. That is why dog bite prevention is the key to reducing the number of rabies exposures, especially in children. It
is also why pet owners need to vaccinate their pets against rabies.
Rabies Facts:
1.Impacts both people and animal and is 100% fatal once symptoms are present.
2.Rabies is transmitted in saliva via bites and licking of open wounds/mucous membranes by an infected animal.
3.Not all animals that are infected behave aggressively.
To help reduce dog bites in the region, the RQHR teamed up with the Regina Humane Society (RHS) to develop and deliver a program called Be Dog Smart. Be
Dog Smart is a joint public education initiative aimed at educating children under the age of 12 regarding dog bite prevention. Be Dog Smart focuses
on helping young children understand how to behave safely around dogs.
Through a lack of knowledge and experience, children are often at greater risk of suffering from a severe dog bite injury including bites to the head and
body requiring stitches, visits to the emergency room, or admission into hospital for treatment. Children who learn to Be Dog Smart and treat all dogs
with respect will be safer around our dog companions.
Media is invited to attend a media scrum discussing the how to reduce dog bites and rabies exposure by using the Be Dog Smart education program. Scrum
details are as follows:
Location: Ruth M Buck Elementary School (6330 7 Ave N, Regina)
Date: Thursday September 28, 2017
Time: 2:00 p.m.
For More Information:
| Jayne Leibel
Communications Consultant, Primary Health Care Primary Health Care Email: jayne.leibel@rqhealth.ca Phone: 306-539-6890 |
| Anne Lindemann
Communications Consultant RQHR Communications Email: anne.lindemann@rqhealth.ca Phone: 306-766-0889 |
