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:
  • Keep domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, under control;
  • Vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies;
  • Avoid wild animals, particularly foxes and coyotes;
  • Report to officials (conservation officers, veterinarians, police, public health officials) any sightings of strange acting wild or domestic animals;
  • Wash any bites or other areas of contact with potentially rabid animals immediately with soap and water;
  • See your family physician immediately for treatment of any animal bites;
  • Report any bites or other significant contact with potentially rabid animals to public health officials immediately.

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. Hugh Whitney
Provincial Veterinarian
Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods
(709) 729-6879

Dr. Faith Stratton
Chief Medical Officer of Health
Department of Health and Community Services
(709) 729-3430

Media contact:

Sonia Glover, Communications, Forest Resources and Agrifoods, (709) 729- 6183
Jill Fleming, Communications, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-6670

2002 12 31                                      12:45 p.m.


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