Raccoon Rabies: First Case Confirmed in Bromont

– QUEBEC GOVERNMENT INFORMATION –

Report raccoons, skunks, or foxes exhibiting abnormal behavior at 1 877 346-6763 or online.

Rabies is a contagious and fatal disease. It is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system of mammals, including humans. This virus is usually transmitted through the saliva of an infected domestic or wild animal, via a bite, a scratch, or if the animal licks a wound, skin lesion, or the person’s eyes, mouth, or nose.

Rabies is one of the most serious diseases transmissible to humans, as it is fatal upon the onset of general symptoms. However, preventive measures are possible before symptoms appear.

RABIES CAN BE PREVENTED BY ADOPTING SAFE BEHAVIORS

• Always, in the event of a bite, scratch, or contact with animal saliva, clean the wound, even if it appears minor, with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes. Promptly contact Info-Santé 811 for appropriate medical follow-up.
• Citizens living in Estrie and Montérégie can significantly contribute to the fight against raccoon rabies. They are urged to report dead raccoons, skunks, and foxes or those that appear disoriented, injured, abnormally aggressive, or paralyzed by calling 1 877 346-6763 or visiting Québec.ca/rageduratonlaveur.
• Never approach an unknown animal, wild or domestic, even if it looks harmless.
• Never touch the carcass of a wild animal with your bare hands.
• Have your pet vaccinated against rabies by consulting your veterinarian.
• Take measures to avoid attracting nuisance animals to your property (e.g., store your outdoor garbage cans out of reach of animals).
• Avoid moving nuisance animals or those that appear orphaned, as you could spread diseases to other territories.
• Consult a veterinarian in the event of a bite or contact between your pet and a wild animal that could transmit rabies.

To learn more about safe practices, consult the Government of Quebec’s Rabies in Humans page.

Reminder: report suspicious animals

Our municipality is in the enhanced surveillance zone for raccoon rabies. The public is invited to report raccoons, skunks and foxes that are dead or appear disoriented, injured, abnormally aggressive or paralyzed. To report suspicious animals, call 1-877-346-6763, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or fill out the form, available 24/7, online at Québec.ca/rageduratonlaveur.

If a raccoon, skunk or fox is inadvertently transported into your territory (e.g., transporting goods) from another province or country, it’s also important to report it. The animal could be carrying rabies, even if it looks healthy. It must not be released back into the wild.

It’s important not to move wild animals!

An apparently healthy animal can be infected with rabies and develop the disease days or even weeks later. If an animal is moved, it may contribute to spreading the disease to other municipalities. The risk of spreading raccoon rabies through the movement of wild or domestic animals (e.g. stray cats) is very high. Raccoons can also transmit the virus to humans, through bites or scratches, for example. In the current context, where several cases of raccoon rabies have been discovered in Quebec since 2024, the movement of raccoons, skunks or foxes should be avoided.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON RACCOON RAGE:
Call 1-877-346-6763 or visit quebec.ca/rageduratonlaveur.