Rabies

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What causes rabies?

Rabies is caused by a virus spread in the saliva of infected animals.

Rabid fox exhibiting unnatural behaviour.

Where does rabies occur?

All warm-blooded mammals and birds can be infected.

In the NWT and Nunavut, rabies occurs regularly in arctic foxes.

Rabies has also been found in dogs, red foxes, wolves, caribou, and polar bears.

Humans can also get rabies.

What are the signs of rabies?

Animals may act differently than normal.

Wild animals often lose their fear of humans and may become vicious and attack for no reason.

Animals may have a dropped jaw and appear to be "foaming at the mouth".

Rabid animals may appear weak or paralyzed.

How can I protect myself?

You can get rabies if you are bitten or licked by an infected animal or if saliva from an infected animal comes into contact with your skin, eyes, nose, lips, cuts or scratches.

Rabies can be fatal for humans and signs may be undetectable for weeks or months.

Do not go near an animal that you think has rabies.

Any person exposed to an animal that may have rabies should immediately contact the local nursing station or hospital.

Report any animals suspected of having rabies to your local Renewable Resource Officer, Bylaw Officer or the RCMP.

If you must kill an animal that you think has rabies, do not shoot it in the head.

Can I eat the meat?

Do not eat meat from an animal that has rabies.

Do not feed the meat to dogs.

Samples to collect

Do not collect samples yourself.

Contact your local Renewable Resource Officer, Bylaw Officer or the RCMP.