Officials increase efforts to control rabies on Northern Peninsula

Officials from the departments of Forest Resources and Agrifoods and Health and Community Services announced today that efforts are being increased to control the spread of rabies on the Northern Peninsula. To date, three cases of rabies have been confirmed in the area.

Provincial veterinarian Dr. Hugh Whitney said the latest animal to test positive for rabies was a domestic cat in St. Paul�s. The cat was sent for testing at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency after it got into a fight with another household cat and also bit its owner. The owner is undergoing treatment and other family members are being evaluated for their level of risk. The remaining cats in the household were put down and the family dog is currently under quarantine.

Dr. Whitney added that the rabid cat highlights the risk that pets pose to their owners. "Though wild animals are usually responsible for the spread of the disease, the greatest risk to humans is the unvaccinated pet that brings it home," said Dr. Whitney.

In cooperation with Gros Morne National Park and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the provincial government will be carrying out a variety of control and surveillance measures as follows:

1. Residents in the communities of St. Paul�s and Cow Head will be offered free pet vaccination, co-sponsored by Gros Morne National Park and the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, due to the immediate public health concerns of the area.

2. Surveillance for the disease will now include the testing of carcasses of foxes, coyotes and lynx trapped or otherwise collected from the Northern Peninsula from January 1, 2002 until the present.

3. A rabies consultant from Ontario, Dr. David Johnson, is being contracted to visit the area and provide his advice. Dr. Johnson assisted the province during the 1988 outbreak on the island of Newfoundland.

Public talks are occurring this week on the Northern Peninsula with the first one being held tonight (January 14) in St. Paul�s.

Meanwhile, health officials are again reminding the public to:

1. Keep domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, under control.
2. Vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies.
3. Avoid wild animals, particularly foxes and coyotes.
4. Report to officials (conservation officers, veterinarians, police, public health officials) any sightings of strange acting wild or domestic animals.
5. Wash any bites or other areas of contact with potentially rabid animals immediately with soap and water.
6. See your family physician immediately for treatment of any animal bites.
7. 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
          Diane Keough, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377

2003 01 14                                        2:30 p.m.