Fisheries and Aquaculture
Health and Community Services
June 19, 2015

Public Advisory: New Rabies Case Diagnosed in Labrador

The Provincial Government continues to monitor for rabies after a cat tested positive for the disease in Labrador City in early June. This is the third domestic animal to be found with the disease this year. A dog was confirmed with rabies in Labrador City in February and another in Makkovik in April. In this latest case, the cat was attacked by a fox in mid-May and kept in a kennel for observation. The cat was euthanized after its behavior changed and it became aggressive.

In total, 12 animals have tested positive for rabies this year. There have been confirmed cases in the Labrador City, Voisey's Bay, Hopedale, Makkovik and Nain areas.

The Provincial Government continues to encourage residents to be vigilant and take precautions when encountering animals acting in a strange or aggressive manner. Residents should:

• Keep domestic animals, such as dogs and cats under control and tethered or penned while outdoors;
• Vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies;
• Avoid wild animals particularly foxes and wolves;
• Report any sightings of wild or domestic animals acting strangely to conservation officers, wildlife enforcement officers, veterinarians, police or public health officials;
• Wash any bites or other areas of contact with potentially rabid animals immediately with soap and water; and
• Immediately go to your health clinic or emergency department for treatment of any animal bites. Any significant contact with potentially rabid animals should be reported to public health officials.

Rabies education information is available at: //www.nr.gov.nl.ca/rabies

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Media contacts:

Roger Scaplen Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 697-5267 rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca

John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2015 06 19                              12:50 p.m.