News release

Two Mulgrave Fox Confirmed to Have Rabies

Health Promotion and Protection (March 2006 - Jan. 2011)
Natural Resources (to July 2018)

Rabies has been confirmed in two fox in Mulgrave, Guysborough Co.

Both animals have been destroyed and people who came into contact with the fox or two dogs who had altercations with the animals are getting prophylaxis treatment as a safety precaution. No one was attacked by the animals.

"Our primary concern is the health and safety of the people of Mulgrave, which is why we have taken the extra precaution to treat anyone who came into contact with fresh saliva from the fox or the dogs," said Dr. Shelly Sarwal, provincial medical officer of health.

"While this is an isolated incident, we encourage all pet owners to get their pets vaccinated against rabies. Rabies vaccination is highly effective and will help protect the animal and their owners against any potential rabies infection."

Rabies is rare in Nova Scotia and the fact that the two infected fox were found within two kilometers of each other leads officials to think that they could be from the same litter. They were likely infected by a bat.

Only bat-strain rabies is present in Nova Scotia.

After an altercation with a dog, the first fox was reported to Natural Resources officials who caught it and put it down on Dec. 5. The second fox was killed on Dec. 11 by a family member who was trying to break up an altercation between the fox and a family dog.

"Under any circumstances, people should not interfere with fox, or any other wildlife for their own safety, and for the safety of the animal," said Mike O'Brien, Natural Resources manager of furbearers and upland game. "This includes approaching, touching, and especially feeding fox."

"Pet owners should not let their pets roam at large where they are at risk of coming in contact with wildlife."

Rabies is a serious disease caused by a virus that affects mammals, including humans. Sick animals pass the disease on through their saliva, either by biting, or through direct contact between saliva and broken skin or mucus membranes, such as eyes or mouth.

The rabies virus can travel through nerves, and into the brain where it causes inflammation.

Symptoms of rabies in animals include strange behaviour. The animals can be unusually aggressive and try to attack and bite people or other animals. Animals that usually stay away from people might have a change in behaviour and seem unusually friendly. They might look sick, lethargic, or have trouble walking.

Anyone who sees or has come in contact with an animal with any of these symptoms, should call Natural Resources officials at 1-800-565-2224.

For more information on rabies, visit www.gov.ns.ca/hpp .