Torontonians warned of sick raccoons

Avoiding exposure to injured mammals can cut risk of rabies, Public Health says

Toronto Public Health wants you to stay away from the trash pandas to keep yourself and your pets safe.

There’s been a significant increase in the number of sick and injured raccoons, TPH says, and in the number of reported cases of people being bitten of scratched by them.

Well, it’s not just raccoons they want you to stay away from — it’s all other wild animals, too.

Dr. Eileen de Villa, the city’s medical officer of health, said that while people are heading outside more to enjoy the warm weather, “we remind everyone to avoid contact with raccoons and other wild animals to minimize exposure to rabies.”

Since May 31, TPH says it’s received 88 reports of people being scratched or bitten by the trashloving mammals — a 117 per cent increase for this year compared to the previous five-year average between 2018 and 2022.

“In 2023, more than 80 per cent of the individuals bitten and/or scratched by raccoons received rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment, a series of multiple vaccine doses as raccoons are a high-risk vector for rabies transmission,” TPH said.

Raccoons are Toronto’s unofficial mascot, routinely spotted out and about in populated areas and unexpected locations, like inside grocery stores.

While the risk of rabies is low in the city, the disease is fatal if left untreated.

What should you do if a raccoon bites or scratches you?

TPH says to immediately wash the bite or wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes if you’re bitten or scratched by a raccoon.

Afterward, apply an antiseptic to the wound and seek medical attention from a health-care provider.

How can you prevent your family or pets from contracting rabies?

Likely the easiest way to prevent your family or pets from being bitten or contracting rabies is to stay away and refrain from touching raccoons and wild animals altogether, whether or not they appear to be tame — this means not feeding them, either, or keeping wild animals as pets. TPH also says to contact 311 and report sightings of raccoons that appear to be sick or behaving “oddly.”

For your four-legged friends, TPH says to keep pets away from wild animals and not let them roam unsupervised. They should also be vaccinated against rabies, which is required in the province after the pet is three months old.

You could also “wildlife-proof” your yard, which includes storing garbage bins in a garage until trucks come, keeping barbecues free of grease and keeping your yard tidy.

“Enjoy the best that summer in Toronto has to offer including our vibrant communities, beautiful parks and lush ravine systems,” said Coun. Chris Moise, who also serves as the board of health chair.

“While you enjoy the many attractions in the city, be vigilant about avoiding contact with animals as it can require multiple health-care visits.”