Rabies outbreak “under control” in Nunavut community

Hamlet staff in Pangnirtung have had to destroy 20 dogs since a fox came into the community earlier this month. (FILE PHOTO)

Officials in Pangnirtung say they have a local rabies outbreak “under control,” after a fox is believed to have infected a number of dogs in the Baffin community earlier this month.

A fox that attacked five dogs in the community May 5 was destroyed and then a bylaw officer had to kill about 20 local dogs that showed symptoms of rabies.

Two of those bodies were sent away for testing and the results were negative, but Shawn Trepanier, the hamlet’s senior administrative officer said that hamlet staff didn’t want to take a chance.

“These were animals that are normally friendly, but started showing aggressive behaviour towards people in the community,” Trepanier said.

Rabies, a potentially fatal viral disease that spreads from the bite of a rabid animal to another animal or human, affects the central nervous system.

Animals with rabies can appear nervous, agitated or aggressive and may be foaming at the mouth.

The 20 dogs that were killed were first tranquilized, then destroyed and burned at the local dump to ensure any potential infection would not spread.

Since the fox was destroyed, Trepanier said there have been no other reports of foxes or other wild animals coming into the community.

“We’re still very vigilant, and asking people to be on the lookout for the signs,” he said.

Since the initial incident, the hamlet has been offering rabies vaccinations free of charge to the public. In the last week and a half, the hamlet has vaccinated about 100 dogs, Trepanier said, and ordered more vaccine, which should arrive next week.

Residents of Pangnirtung who see wild animals in the community, or local dogs acting aggressively, should contact the bylaw office at 867-473-8415.

Pond Inlet also reported a case of rabies just last week, when bylaw officers destroyed a fox who had attacked dogs in that community.

The Government of Nunavut’s department of health said it is not aware of any other communities that have reported cases of rabies this spring.