Increased rabies surveillance in Montérégie
Since December 2024, several cases of raccoon rabies have been detected in the Eastern Townships and Montérégie. The Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs is asking residents of municipalities in the enhanced surveillance zone, including Brossard, to report any animals concerned.
Animals to watch out for
Any raccoon, skunk or fox that is dead or appears to be disoriented, injured, abnormally aggressive or paralyzed must be reported without delay.
Rabies: a serious and preventable disease
Rabies is a fatal disease for humans, as well as for wild and domestic animals. It can be prevented by appropriate preventive measures.
Guidelines for limiting risks
Instructions to be followed to limit the risk of disease transmission to humans and the risk of spread within the region:
- If you’ve been bitten or scratched by an animal or come into contact with its saliva, clean the wound (even if it’s apparently minor) with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes, then promptly call Info-Santé 811 for the appropriate medical follow-up.
- Never approach an unfamiliar animal, even if it looks harmless and healthy, as it could bite you and transmit rabies. An animal can be a carrier of the disease and develop symptoms several days or weeks after being infected.
- Avoid moving unwelcome or seemingly orphaned animals, as you could spread rabies. At present, the risk of moving rabies in this way is very high, since apparently healthy animals could still be carriers of the disease. Raccoon rabies may be present in your territory undetected.
If you own a pet, consult a veterinarian for :
- Have your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies and keep their vaccinations up to date;
- Determine whether it’s appropriate to vaccinate your other outdoor animals (e.g. livestock);
- Determine the risk of rabies transmission if your pet has been in contact with a wild animal or is showing signs of the disease.
Additional resources
For more information, please consult the following link: Form for reporting a raccoon, skunk or fox suspected of having rabies
