Domestic dog tests positive for rabies in Iqaluit

Public Health Advisory

Domestic dog tests positive for rabies in Iqaluit

The Department of Health would like to notify residents of Iqaluit of contact between a fox and domestic dog in the community. The dog began acting aggressively and later testing confirmed it had been infected with rabies.

The dog was described as a small white husky approximately five to six months old. The dog was frequently off leash and loose in lower Iqaluit and the beach front. If you had contact with a dog matching that description between December 13 to December 28, we advise you to go to the Qikiqtani General Hospital and report the incident immediately. Treatment must be started quickly after exposure, as rabies infection is almost always fatal.

Domestic animals that spend the majority of time outdoors should be tied up and monitored for a change in behaviour and signs of rabies.

Signs of rabies include behaving strangely, staggering, frothing at the mouth, choking or making strange noises. Animals exhibiting these signs should be avoided and reported to the Regional Environmental Health Office or Conservations Officer.

If you see a fox or wolf wandering around the community, or if your dog had contact with a fox or wolf, call the Regional Environmental Health Officer at 867-645-6660 or Conservation Officer at 867-975-7780.

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Media Contact:

Danarae Sommerville
Communications Specialist
Department of Health
867-975-5712
@email