Rabies suspected in Coral Harbour
Public Health Advisory
Rabies suspected in Coral Harbour
The Department of Health would like to notify residents of Coral Harbour that a fox in the community attacked a dog and is suspected to have rabies. If you have been bitten or scratched by a fox or a dog, go to the health centre and report the incident immediately. To be affective, treatment must be started quickly.
If you see an animal behaving strangely, staggering, frothing at the mouth, choking or making strange noises, avoid the animal and report it to the conservation officer.
A fox that is sick may appear friendly. Children should not play with foxes or other wildlife. Keep domestic animals tied up when they are outside, and monitor them for a change in behaviour and signs of rabies.
Rabies is commonly found in foxes and wolves in Nunavut, and can spread to dogs if bitten by a rabid fox or wolf. Rabies can be passed onto people when an infected animal bites, scratches or licks them. A person when handling/skinning infected animals, can get rabies if they have cuts on their skin.
If you see a fox or wolf wandering around the community, or if your dog had contact with a fox or wolf, call the conservation officer immediately at 867-925-8823 or the regional environmental health officer at 867-645-8071.
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Media Contact:
Sarah Paterson
A\ Manager of Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5762
[email protected]