A second cat in Saint-Anicet, Que, in the Montérégie region has tested positive for raccoon rabies this summer. According to Santé Québec Montérégie-Centre, three individuals needed preventative treatment after encountering the infected animal. This incident follows the recent diagnosis of a cat with rabies in Godmanchester, also located in the Montérégie region.

The outbreak of raccoon rabies in the Estrie, Montérégie, and Centre-du-Québec regions emphasizes the importance of maintaining pets’ vaccinations up to date. To prevent the spread of the disease, health officials advise pet owners to keep their animals supervised and not allow them to roam freely outdoors.

It is crucial to avoid contact with unfamiliar domestic and wild animals, regardless of their appearance or health status. In case of being bitten, scratched, or exposed to the saliva of a potentially rabid animal, it is recommended to wash the affected area thoroughly for 10 to 15 minutes and contact Info-Santé at 811 immediately for prompt preventative treatment.

Animals infected with rabies may display behavioral changes, aggression, biting tendencies, isolation, loss of appetite, excessive salivation, or unsteady movement. If a pet exhibits these symptoms, it should be isolated from other animals and humans and examined by a veterinarian.

The Environment Ministry has confirmed the first case of raccoon rabies in the Centre-du-Québec region in Saint-Eugène-de-Grantham. Residents in affected regions are urged to report dead, injured, disoriented, or unusually aggressive raccoons, skunks, or foxes through an online form. Those outside these areas can report potentially rabid wild animals by contacting the Environment Ministry at 1 877 346-6763.