Island Health has issued a warning to the public that a free-roaming kitten, located in a rural area of Chemainus, has recently tested positive for rabies.
They added that it is unlikely the kitten has come into contact with additional people who have yet to be identified, but want to warn the community out of an abundance of caution.
Island Health says that the kitten was found on the roadside in the 8000-block of Chemainus Road on July 9th, and began exhibiting symptoms consistent with rabies infection on July 12th.
On July 21st, suspicions were confirmed when the kitten’s test results confirmed it had contracted rabies.
The kitten is no longer free-roaming and has been caught, but could have come into contact with people before being captured.
According to Island Health, everyone who came in contact with the kitten, who were at risk of exposure, have been identified and are receiving appropriate follow-up care.
However, there is a chance the kitten could have transmitted the infection if it bit or scratched someone after July 2nd.
Anyone who had direct contact with a kitten, specifically in the area noted above, between July 2nd and July 9th, should contact the Communicable Disease Program at (250) 519-3575 for assessment.
Island Health says they believed the kitten was living in a tree on or near a rural property in the 8000-block of Chemainus Road.
“While further test results are pending, it is expected the kitten was infected by a bat which is consistent with the source of nearly all rabies cases in BC in the last 25 years,” said Island Health in a media release.
“In BC, the only animals that carry rabies are bats and very rarely bat variant rabies transmit to other animals or humans.”
Island Health says that rabies is serious, but preventable, and early intervention is key.
To avoid having pets infected with rabies, it is important to keep them up to date with their vaccinations.
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