YELLOWKNIFE – December 31, 2020 - The Chief Environmental Health Officer is advising that two foxes from Tuktoyaktuk have tested positive for rabies in December. There have been incidents of dogs in community being attacked by foxes.

If you have been bitten scratched or in contact with a fox, or your dog after it was attacked you should contact the Rosie Ovayuak Health Centre and report the incident immediately. Rabies in humans can be fatal. If your dog was attacked, please contact ENR wildlife officer to report the contact.

Getting your dogs vaccinated for rabies is an important way to reduce the risk for you and your community from rabies. ENR and HSS are working to ensure a lay vaccinator is available in Tuktoyaktuk in January.

If you are a hunter, dog musher or otherwise regularly handle wildlife and animals, please ensure that your rabies vaccination status is up to date.

For general information about rabies please see https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/sant%C3%A9-environnementale/rabies-prevention

For more information contact:

Damien Healy
Manager Communications
Health and Social Service
damien_healy@gov.nt.ca