Quebec’s agriculture ministry says a young, unvaccinated heifer in Coaticook died after symptoms appeared Oct. 30, and rabies infection was confirmed Wednesday.
The Story
Quebec has confirmed its first case of raccoon rabies in a cow as the disease continues to spread in an ongoing outbreak.
The province’s ministry of agriculture, fisheries and food says a young, unvaccinated heifer in Coaticook, in the Estrie region died on Oct. 30, the day its first symptoms appeared.
The ministry said rabies infection was confirmed on Wednesday.
It added that three cats in the Montérégie region previously tested positive for raccoon rabies over the summer.
The provincial government has confirmed 329 cases of the variant of rabies this year in an outbreak that started in 2024.
While raccoon rabies primarily infects raccoons, cases have also been confirmed in skunks and foxes.
Quebec said cases have increased significantly in the Montérégie region since March, and that it is conducting surveillance and vaccination operations in at-risk areas.
The government said the disease can affect all mammals, including humans, and is transmitted primarily through the saliva of an infected animal—particularly through a bite.
It said it is providing financial aid for livestock producers who want to vaccinate their animals against rabies and urged people to vaccinate their pets.
The ministry also reiterated the importance of staying vigilant and avoiding contact with wild, domestic, or farm animals that may be infected with rabies.
← More stories