Guelph, ON, September 23, 2024 – On September 28, 2024, the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) will coordinate World Rabies Day, and this year's theme, ‘Breaking Rabies Boundaries,’ emphasises the collective responsibility required to combat rabies through a ‘One Health’ approach.
Rabies is a viral infection that primarily affects the nervous systems of mammals, notably carnivores and bats, but it can impact any mammal, including horses. In Canada, while rabies cases are relatively low, they persist among wildlife populations, often near equestrian facilities. This proximity heightens the need for robust prevention and control programs, including vaccination initiatives.
Importance of Vaccination
Rabies is among the core vaccines recommended for horses in Equine Guelph’s Vaccination Equi-Planner healthcare tool (accessible at TheHorsePortal.ca/VaccinationTool). The vaccine is crucial due to the disease's lethality and the potential risk to both horses and humans.
Canada's rabies control efforts encompass:
- Vaccination of Domestic Animals: Keeping horses, dogs, and cats vaccinated against rabies is paramount. Dogs are frequently vaccinated due to their higher interactions with wildlife, consequently serving as potential transmitters of the virus to horses.
- Wildlife Management and Public Education: Understanding and managing wildlife interactions in areas where horses are kept is essential, as rabies is commonly reported in bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes across Canada.
Horse Owners’ Responsibilities
Horse owners play a vital role in the ‘One Health’ framework. Here’s how you can contribute:
1. Vaccinate Your Horses: Schedule annual rabies vaccinations through your veterinarian to minimise the risk of infection.
2. Vaccinate Other Pets: Ensure that dogs and cats frequently in contact with your horses are also up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations to reduce cross-species transmission.
3. Eliminate Attractants: Maintain your property by sealing entry points and securing trash to deter wildlife that might bring the rabies virus closer to your horses.
4. Recognise Symptoms: Be vigilant for changes in behaviour in animals that could indicate rabies infection, such as incoordination, unusual aggression, or excessive drooling.
5. Monitor Wildlife: Report any suspicious wildlife behaviour to local authorities, especially if you notice nocturnal animals active during the day.
The Importance of Core Vaccinations
Rabies is classified as one of the five core equine diseases alongside Eastern equine encephalomyelitis, Western equine encephalomyelitis, tetanus, and West Nile virus. Given that horses have regular exposure to wildlife and potential disease vectors, annual core vaccinations are vital for their health and safety, as recommended by the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
"Core vaccinations are critical for protecting horses from serious diseases. We are fortunate to have access to highly effective vaccines, which can transform potentially deadly situations into manageable, preventable concerns," emphasises Tamara Quaschnick, DVM, equine technical services veterinarian for Zoetis Canada. "The stakes of leaving your horse unprotected are high."
Access Resources for Better Health
For tailored immunisation plans, utilise the free Vaccination Equi-Planner tool at TheHorsePortal.ca/VaccinationTool. Moreover, consider joining Equine Guelph's online course, Sickness Prevention in Horses. This informative course offers practical tips on maintaining equine health based on Canadian biosecurity standards, providing actionable advice to reduce veterinary costs significantly. Registration for the course runs from March 31 to April 7, 2025, for a cost-effective tuition of $95.
Strong health practices are a shared responsibility. Together, we can break the boundaries of rabies and safeguard the well-being of both our horses and communities.