No reports of rabies in Nunavut in almost a year

Lack of cases likely due to lower fox populations: Environment Department

The lack of reported rabies cases in Nunavut over the past 11 months is likely due to lower fox populations, says Jon Neely, the Government of Nunavut’s acting director of wildlife operations. (File photo)

By Madalyn Howitt

It hasn’t been uncommon over the past few winters for Nunavummiut to see multiple public health notices over suspected or confirmed cases of rabies in the territory.

But this winter, the Government of Nunavut hasn’t reported any rabies cases to the public.

That’s not because the GN changed the way it shares that information, said Jon Neely, acting director of wildlife operations at the Environment Department.

It’s just that there haven’t been any rabies cases to report.

“We haven’t sent anything out for testing and we haven’t had any suspected cases reported this year,” Neely said.

When a suspected or confirmed rabies case is reported to the public health branch, the GN issues a notice to inform the public.

The most recent public health notice concerning rabies was issued in May 2023, when the GN confirmed two foxes and a dog in Pond Inlet had been infected with the disease.

The likely cause for this dip in rabies cases is that fox populations are lower this year, Neely said.

“Rabies is endemic in the wildlife population, so it’s always present, but we had a lot of cases a couple of winters ago now,” he said.

That was likely a very productive year for lemmings, a food source for foxes. That led to higher fox numbers and a greater chance that they would venture closer to human populations, Neely said.

“Wildlife populations tend to be cyclical, so when there’s a lot more foxes around you have a lot more instances of there being the possibility of rabies.”

Neely said the GN doesn’t monitor fox populations closely, but it’s common to see their numbers fluctuate.

“It’s not to say that the populations across the territory are all booming and bustling at the same time,” he said, adding it’s fortunate no rabies cases have been reported in nearly a year.

That of course could change next year.

“[Populations] will vary year to year, so just because we don’t have any cases this year doesn’t mean we won’t have any next year,” he said.

Even with no rabies cases reported this year, it’s still important for people to report any wildlife they see acting strangely, Neely said.

Infected animals may appear more aggressive and less afraid of humans, and show signs of strange behaviour such as staggering, frothing at the mouth, choking or making unusual noises.

“If you suspect that your domestic animal or a person has been exposed, contact public health directly,” Neely said.

 

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(2) Comments:

  1. Posted by Northerner on

    Thank your local trapper for no rabid foxes and dogs.

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  2. Posted by Hunter on

    Friend of mine killed a rabid fox that was playing with a dog that needed to get put down.

    Guess this incident went unreported.

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