20 Terrace Review — Wednesday, June 22, 1988 Rabies — rare but serious Earlier this month a. Van- couver family found a live bat and brought it to the Society for the Prevention of ,Cruelty to Animals. The bat turned out to be rabid, prompting the Van- couver health department to warn city residents not to touch live or dead bats they may find in parks or backyards. Terrace medical. officer Dr. David Bowering said bats are virtually the only source of animal rabies in B.C. In 1986, the most recent year for which statistics are available, nine rabid animals, all bats, were reported in the province, That compares to one rabid bat reported in Nova Scotia; 74 rabid animals, mainly skunks, in Manitoba; and a whopping 3,273 rabid animals of various species in Ontario. - In 1986 there were 4,800 peo- ple vaccinated because of ex- posure to rabies. Bowering ex- plained the treatment consists of aseries of five shots over 28 days as well as a rabies immune globulant (antibiotic) treatment, which pretty well assures the person won’t develop rabies. In the past 50 years, 21 cases of persons with rabies were reported — all of whom likely died from the disease. ‘‘That’s why prevention and vaccination are so important. Once a person has rabies, it’s serious trouble,” Bowering said. The most recent death was that of a B.C. student about a year and a half ago, who had been scratched by a bat while in Alberta, i While bats are the most likely carriers of the disease, they can bite other animals including household pets. Frank Bowsher can’t recall any cases of rabid pets being reported or brought into the Terrace Animal Shelter within the last ten years. “‘Two years ago, a dog foaming at the mouth was reported to be seen at the dump. But the dog didn’t have rabies — it was hot and thirsty and just needed some water.” Veterinarian Dr. Louis Elorza recalled that two bats in the Ter- race area were identified as rabid around four or five ‘summers ago, but he’s seen no problems with domestic animals or pets. ‘About 1,500 dog owners and 1,000 cat owners get rabies shots for their pets every year at the Terrace Veterinary Medical Cen- tre, he said. Elorza suggests that — although the rabies shot ‘is theoretically good for three years, a yearly booster offers more protection. Elorza warned people, es- _ pecially young children, not to be tempted to pick up ‘‘that sick little chipmunk” in the camp- ground. It’s not normal for a "wild animal to allow a human to hold it, and could be potential trouble if the animal carries a symptomatic rabies. ‘Dr. Bowering suggested that anyone noticing a bat or other - wild animal acting in an unusual or . aggressive manner should contact the Public Health Unit. ee ee non at seeR ES These hard-working Grade 7 Uplands | Elementary students raised the money they needed for their “Year End Event” recently by holding a car wash in the school parking lot. For a thrifty $5 per car,-or $7.50 per truck, customers vehicles were washed and cleaned Inside and out. The students were off to Vanity’s on Wednesday, June 9 for their final “event” o dary in the fall. f the year before moving on to the excitement of Grade 8 and Skeena Junior Secon- Terrace Legion report by Roy Greening By this time in our lives, many Legion members have retired, especially the war veterans. They are now considered to be senior citizens, a group that is becom- ing a greater percentage of the population, In fact, Statistics Canada estimates that by the se- cond decade of the next century the senior citizens group will be about 4.5 million and by 2021 getting up towards six million. In other words, every fifth Canadian will be over 65.. However, some people aren’t waiting until they’re 65 to retire. Some people are retiring in their late 50’s or early 60’s and fin- ding other activities. In many cases, people can’t wait to leave their chosen career because they have lost enthusiasm for their job after about 30 years. Upon leaving at this ‘‘early”’ age some people can find little else to do and become despon- dent and soon deteriorate in health. It is very important that the early retiree makes sure that an onward path is mapped out before he or she pulls the plug. First and foremost is to stay fit. One should work at it mak- ing it almost a second career. If one can’t swim then take lessons and that will in itself get you among others. 1 would suggest that the next thing to do is to find something quite different to do than what you have been doing but use your past. expertise to benefit _yourself. If you were an organizer, then organize in a field that interests you. Perhaps you could start a small business, play the stock market, learn to type or to play the piano. if your spouse is also retired then start up a bed and breakfast or garden and sell your produce at the Farmers’ Market or house- sit. . For those W.O.0.P.S. (well off older people) then there are tours to go on. If you don’t like sight seeing on a constant basis, then join Elderhostel and take courses to keep your mind ac- tive. No matter what you decide to do when you retire early and take on another activity, you will always meet interesting peo- ple, some of whom could become very special, people you would have never had met by staying in your old vocation. Interested In helping the Scouts or Girl Guides, or the community? Short on time, but still interested? The B.P. Guild will help you help, without necessarily filling your calendar. If you don’t have the time to become a Scouting leader, you can still help Scouts through the Guild, or if you wished you had gone into Scouting, the Guild can get you helping with Scouting events. For _ more information, contact. Finn Larsen at 638-1377. Terrace Association for Community Living needs ad- vocates for handicapped people living in Terrace. For more information please phone Janice at 635-9322 or Carol-Ann at 635-3940.