Foxes, wolf and dog in Labrador infected with rabies
The Department of Nature Resources is urging residents of Labrador to get their animals vaccinated against rabies, after four animals were identified as having the virus.
The first animal caught with the virus, which is transmitted through bites to the skin or when saliva from a contaminated animal gets in the mouth or eyes, was a wolf in Labrador City on Jan. 25.
A red fox at the IOC site and a dog in Labrador City were identified as having rabies in early February.
It's believed a second red fox from the Voisey's Bay area, picked up Feb. 11, also had the virus. The department said it's waiting on final confirmation from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
- Rabies: What to know about the virus in Canada
- Wolf aggressive with Labrador snowmobilers diagnosed with rabies
In addition to those four animals, several more are being tested for the virus, including a red fox that was euthanized Feb. 11 after being spotted near Schefferville.
In a news release sent out Monday, the department urged residents to vaccinate their dogs and cats against rabies, avoid wild animals and to report any domestic or wild animals exhibited strange behaviour to Nature Resources.