Rabies scare in B.C.: Multiple people receive post‑exposure treatment after skunk case near Kootenay Lake

Earlier this month a skunk that tested positive for rabies was discovered wandering near Kootenay Lake in southeastern British Columbia. Health officials say the animal was likely infectious from about August 15 through September 4.

Because the skunk’s range overlapped populated backroads and trails, a handful of people ended up with scratches or bites that could have transmitted the virus. Those individuals have already received the rabies vaccine series, and Interior Health is urging anyone else who might have had contact with the animal to head straight to an emergency department.

It’s worth noting that rabies doesn’t spread through a skunk’s spray, urine or feces – the virus is only transmitted when saliva enters a wound. So if you merely walked past the animal or saw it from a distance, you’re fine.

Veterinarians are also being asked to bring any pets or wildlife that may have crossed paths with the skunk in for testing and, if necessary, treatment. The health authority stresses that human rabies cases in B.C. and across Canada are extremely rare, but when they do occur the disease is almost always fatal.

The good news is that prompt vaccination after exposure is highly effective at preventing infection. “Rabies infections in people are extremely rare in B.C. and Canada. Infections are usually fatal, but preventable when vaccines are administered promptly after an exposure,” Interior Health said in a news release.

Residents are encouraged to stay alert, report any suspicious wildlife, and, most importantly, seek medical advice right away if they think they might have been exposed.