Public Advisory: New Rabies Cases Confirmed in Labrador West
The Department of Natural Resources is reporting a fourth confirmed case of rabies in Labrador West.
The department’s Animal Health Laboratory and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed that a red fox hit by a vehicle in Labrador City on January 26 and a red fox found on a trail near Labrador City on January 24 each had rabies.
“The latest confirmation of rabies further proves that the virus continues to be active in Labrador West,” said Dr. Hugh Whitney, Chief Veterinary Officer with the Department of Natural Resources Animal Health Division. “We have also been advised that two young dogs taken out of northern Quebec for adoption have been diagnosed with rabies. Given the instances of rabies in Labrador, and that dogs from Labrador have been adopted outside the region, we advise residents at this time to not adopt dogs that have not been vaccinated and are of unknown health status.”
Officials with the Departments of Natural Resources and Health and Community Services will continue to monitor this and are encouraging residents of Labrador to take the following precautions:
The department will provide information on any additional rabies cases on the Provincial Government website at www.nr.gov.nl.ca/rabies.
Details on the current outbreak will be posted on www.nr.gov.nl.ca/rabies/outbreak2012.html.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
Heather MacLean Director of Communications Department of Natural Resources 709-729-5282, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 699-6524 JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca |
2012 02 10 1:05 p.m.