Released on September 7, 1999
Saskatchewan Health is alerting persons who have recently visited Swenson's
Wild Midwest Exotic Petting Zoo in Clermont, Iowa of a potential risk of rabies.
A bear cub died of rabies August 27, 1999.
Anyone who was licked, scratched or bitten by this five- or six-month-old cub
after July 31, 1999 should contact his or her local health district or personal
physician for immediate assessment for rabies vaccination.
Rabies is a fatal viral illness of the nervous system transmitted through bites
and licks of infected wild animals such as skunks, foxes and bats. The disease
can be prevented in domestic animals and humans through the use of a vaccine.
Saskatchewan has not had a case of human rabies in the past 10 years of
surveillance.
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For more information, contact:
Jeff Brown
Communications Branch
Saskatchewan Health
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-4088