‘Avoidable’: Chatham-Kent Public Health warns residents to stay away from wildlife
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Skip to ContentNewsLocal NewsProvincialCanadaWorldSpecial-SectionsSportsSports BettingLocal SportsBaseballBasketballFootballCurlingHockeyAuto RacingOther SportsEntertainmentLocal EntertainmentMoviesMusicTelevisionBooksGamingCelebritiesLifeTravelHealthFoodComicsPuzzlesAdviceOpinionColumnEditorialLettersAll NewspapersAdvertisingAdvertising With UsAdvertising SolutionsPostmedia Ad ManagerSponsorship RequestsClassifiedsObituariesLives ToldBusiness AdsJobsDrivingOntario FarmerHealthingDiversionsPuzzlesComicsPuzzmoNewslettersProfileSettingsMy SubscriptionsNewslettersCustomer ServiceFAQNewsSportsEntertainmentLifeOpinionAll NewspapersBusiness AdsJobsDrivingOntario FarmerHealthingPuzzmoNewslettersNewsLocal News‘Avoidable’: Chatham-Kent Public Health warns residents to stay away from wildlifeChatham-Kent Public Health officials are reminding residents to watch wildlife at a distance to avoid exposure to rabies. Published Jul 28, 2026•Last updated 12 minutes ago•1 minute readA raccoon is shown in the backyard of a residential house in daylight in Vaughan, Ont. (Getty Images)Following an increase in encounters with bats and raccoons, Chatham-Kent Public Health officials are reminding residents to avoid direct contact with wildlife. According to a news release, more people have required treatment after potential rabies exposure due to these incidents. Recommended VideosRabies is a rare but serious viral disease that affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, the release said. Timely medical intervention can treat rabies, but public health officials said avoiding contact with wildlife is the best protection. “Many of the recent wildlife encounters we’ve investigated were avoidable,” Joshua Standel, the healthy environments program manager with Chatham-Kent Public Health, said in the release. “Even animals that appear healthy, friendly, injured or orphaned can carry rabies. We encourage residents to admire wildlife from a distance and never attempt to touch, feed or handle wild animals. ”Residents are reminded to take the following precautions:Never touch, handle or feed wild animals. Keep a safe distance from bats, raccoons and other wildlife. Teach children to avoid approaching or touching wild animals. Ensure pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Seek assistance from trained animal control or wildlife professionals if an animal appears sick, injured or abandoned. Residents who have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, or who have had direct contact with a bat, should immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention as soon as possible, the release said. Potential exposures should also be reported to Chatham-Kent Public Health for assessment and follow-up. “Protecting yourself and your family starts with keeping a respectful distance from wildlife,” Standel said. “A simple decision not to touch a wild animal can help prevent the need for rabies treatment. ”More information about rabies prevention and what to do following a potential exposure is available atwww. ckphu. com/rabiesor by calling public health at 519-352-7270. tmorrison@postmedia. comJoin the ConversationThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more aboutcookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to ourTerms of UseandPrivacy Policy.