Warning issued after skunk with rabies captured in Vancouver

FILE PHOTO: A skunk with rabies has been captured in Vancouver after biting some people. Photo by Mike Hensen /Postmedia News

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Anyone who may have been bitten or scratched by a skunk in downtown Vancouver, the West End or Stanley Park recently must immediately contact Vancouver Coastal Health or go to an emergency room.

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On Wednesday evening, the health authority revealed that “a small number of people” had been bitten by a skunk with rabies that was captured in downtown Vancouver.

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“While interactions with skunks are rare, a small number of people bitten by the skunk have been assessed and received rabies vaccinations and immunoglobulin to prevent rabies,” the health authority said in a news release.

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“Anyone who may have been bitten or scratched, handled, picked up or otherwise had direct contact with a sick or abnormally behaving skunk in downtown Vancouver, West End and Stanley Park area between Sept. 22 and Oct. 17, 2026, should contact VCH immediately for assessment.”

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Vancouver Coastal Health can be reached during business hours at 604-675-3900.

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After hours, anyone at risk should visit the nearest emergency room.

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Pet owners are also being asked to contact a veterinarian immediately if their dog or cat has been bitten, scratched or had recent direct contact with a skunk in those parts of Vancouver.

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In B.C., rabies is usually associated with bats. However, bats can infect other animals through bites and scratches. The deadly virus cannot be transferred through feces or urine.

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Rabies infections in people are extremely rare in Canada. Infection is fatal but can be prevented when rabies vaccines and/or rabies immunoglobulin are administered promptly after an exposure.

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In 2019, a man died on Vancouver Island six weeks after contracting rabies from a bat.

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According to Health Canada, 28 people have died from rabies in Canada since 1924. Of those, two were in B.C.

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Last month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory in response to recent reports of increases in human exposures to rabid or potentially rabid animals.

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