A first case of raccoon rabies in Quebec since 2015 was detected in Estrie last month, announced the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, which is calling on the population to be extra careful.
In a press release published Monday, the ministry explained that a raccoon infected with the rabies virus was found dead in Saint-Armand, in Estrie, on December 17.
“Thanks to the vigilance of citizens who reported it to the authorities and the rapid intervention of wildlife specialists from the Ministry, the animal was recovered the same day for analysis,” he said. been clarified.
This is the first case of raccoon rabies in Quebec since 2015.
The animal was recovered approximately 1.4 kilometers from where a case was discovered in early December near the Quebec border, in the municipality of Highgate, Vermont.
Remember that over the past year, several cases of raccoon rabies have been detected in northern Vermont, in the United States.
-“Tests carried out on raccoons in January 2025 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency laboratory confirmed that the raccoon variant is indeed the cause,” added the ministry.
The Quebec government says it is closely monitoring the situation and is working with American authorities to “optimize control and surveillance efforts.”
Vaccination interventions for raccoons, skunks and foxes are planned for 2025.
How can we limit the risks of transmitting the disease to humans?
If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal or have been in contact with its saliva, clean the wound with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes, then contact Info-Santé 811.
Never approach an unfamiliar animal, even if it appears harmless and healthy, because it could bite you and transmit rabies. An animal can carry the disease and develop symptoms several days or weeks after being infected.
