Skunk rabies case prompts warning in B.C. Interior

Health officials in British Columbia are warning people in the Kootenay Lake area to avoid skunks after one animal tested positive for rabies. Interior Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control said the skunk was likely infectious from Aug. 15 to Sept. 4. They are asking anyone who had contact with a skunk in the area, especially after Aug. 15, to contact public health, a primary care provider, or an emergency department for assessment. The health authority also said any pets that were bitten or scratched should be taken to a veterinarian. Rabies is a serious viral disease that affects the brain and nervous system and is usually fatal once symptoms appear, but it can be prevented if treatment is given promptly after exposure.