News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  


October 9, 1996
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)


End of Rabies Outbreak in Labrador

Beaton Tulk, Minister for Forest Resources and Agrifoods is pleased to announce the end of the rabies outbreak in Labrador. "As the last reported case in Labrador was in early August," said Mr. Tulk. "It is now considered that the disease will not be seen to any great extent until early in the year 2000. I would like to thank all those individuals who were diligent in reporting rabid, or potentially rabid, animals to the officials of my department. Their efforts were vital to effective control of this disease."

Rabies occurs in Labrador in a four-year cycle. These cycles usually start as early as January/February and may end by June, or continue well into the fall or winter depending upon the fox population and the prevalence throughout Labrador. Labrador does not have a lot of cases, usually between 15-20, however, the fact that they may be spread across all of Labrador suggests the possibility that hundreds of cases may have actually occurred.

In 1996, there were 16 confirmed cases in Labrador, plus an additional 16 suspicious cases. These started in April and ended in August. Animals diagnosed with the disease included red foxes (14), one dog and one wolf. The communities affected ranged in location from Nain in the north to Capstan Island in the south and as far west as Labrador City. For the first time in recent years, a person was actually bitten by a rabid fox, after which they received appropriate treatment. However, in most outbreaks, rabid foxes are seen acting strangely, or may get in a fight with dogs but human contact is uncommon.

Traditionally it was believed that rabies was mainly brought into Labrador through infected arctic or red foxes coming from the north, however, it is now considered that the disease is also probably resident at low levels within Labrador's own fox population. Incidence of the disease would only increase when the fox population peaks every four years.

Control of rabies involves many different public and private agencies and individuals including federal and provincial officials, as well as community and native councils, private veterinarians and concerned citizens. This cooperation is essential to control of the disease.

  • Contact:

    Dr. H. Whitney,
    Director,Animal Health Division
    (709) 729-6879

    Anna Buffinga
    Manager Public Relations,
    Information, Education
    (709) 729-3750

1996 10 09 3:55 p.m.

SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement