Caribou in Coral Harbour, Nunavut, tests positive for rabies
Nunavut chief public health officer says it’s 1st time rabies have been confirmed in caribou in the territory
Nunavut’s health department says a caribou in Coral Harbour tested positive for rabies after it was seen attacking heavy equipment.
In a public health advisory Tuesday, the department says harvesters who suspect an animal of having rabies should avoid handling the carcass. If they have already harvested the meat, they should dispose of it instead of eating it or feeding it to dogs.
It says if you’ve been bitten or scratched by an infected animal, to go to your local health centre as soon as possible and report the incident.
Dogs and other domestic animals that spend time tied up outdoors should be monitored for a change in behaviour. Signs of rabies include change of behaviour, aggression, staggering, frothing at the mouth, choking or making strange noises.
Wild animals infected with rabies may also appear friendly and approach humans without fear.
Nunavut’s chief public health officer Dr. Ekua Agyemang said that this is the first confirmed case of rabies in caribou in Nunavut.
She suspects another animal with rabies, possibly a fox or dog, bit the caribou to spread the disease.
Agyemang said that she believes this to be an isolated event and that officials haven’t heard any other reports of caribou suspected of having rabies.
“People should be calm — it doesn’t mean that going forward you can’t eat caribou,” she said, adding hunters should just observe an animal before killing it and report if they notice any strange behaviour.
Residents can report an animal that exhibits signs of rabies to Nunavut’s environmental health office at 866-857-4444.
With files from Sam Wat
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Arctic Guardians– Monitoring wildlife, preserving cultural values and traditions, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Possible record year for arctic fox in Nordics with 762 cubs counted in 2022, Eye on the Arctic
Greenland: Researchers identify polar bear population that hunts off glacier ice, Eye on the Arctic
United States: U.S. judge suspends Alaska Cook Inlet lease, pending additional environmental review, The Associated Press
