NLIS 2 December 31, 2002 (Forest Resources and Agrifoods) (Health and Community Services) Officials encouraging public to vaccinate pets against rabies Public health and animal health officials from the departments of Health and Community Services and Forest Resources and Agrifoods are encouraging the public to have their pets vaccinated against rabies in light of the recent confirmation of a second rabies case involving a red fox in the community of St. Paul�s on the Northern Peninsula. The first rabid fox, killed on December 9 in St. Paul�s, was also recently identified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as carrying the fox strain of this disease. A third fox, submitted from Roddickton was also tested, but did not have the disease. Provincial veterinarian Dr. Hugh Whitney said with this second rabies confirmation in a fox and the identification of the fox strain, it is clear that the strain did not blow onto the island with bats. He said officials considered three scenarios with the best case scenario being a bat strain rabies, which would mean only a limited number of cases over a short period of time. The other scenarios involve the arrival of fox rabies from Labrador or elsewhere on mainland Canada or a raccoon strain rabies from New Brunswick or Ontario. To support and encourage the vaccination of pet animals, the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods will subsidize the vaccination of these animals through private veterinary clinics. Individuals or communities are advised to contact the clinic of their choice to make arrangements. Meanwhile, arrangements are being made for public information meetings in St. Paul's and other interested areas. Residents and officials on the Northern Peninsula are reminded to:
More information on this disease can be found on the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods Web site at: www.gov.nl.ca//www.gov.nl.ca/agric/her&rab/rabiesfront.htm or contact the following:
Dr. Faith Stratton Media contact:
2002 12 31 12:45 p.m. |
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