Skunk rabies case prompts public warning in B.C. Interior

HEALTH Skunk rabies case prompts public warning in B.C. Interior By Rebecca Lau Global News Posted September 19, 2026 12:25 pm 2 min read RELATED: B.C. vet warns of surge in bat encounters after positive rabies test – Aug 21, 2026 LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE Health officials in B.C. are warning people in the Kootenay Lake region to avoid contact with skunks after one animal recently tested positive for rabies. Interior Health (IH) and the BC Centre for Disease Control confirmed the rabies case on Thursday. In a release, the agencies said it’s believed the skunk was infectious between Aug. 15 and Sept. 4. “While interactions with skunks are extremely rare, IH has assessed and treated a small number of individuals who may have been exposed in the Kootenay Lake region, and is asking anyone who had contact with a skunk in this geographic area to come forward for assessment,” IH wrote in a release. Anyone who was bitten or scratched by a skunk in the region is asked to immediately contact their local public health office, visit a primary care provider or go to an emergency department. This is especially important if the contact happened after Aug. 15. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT Any pets that were bitten or scratched by a skunk should be seen by a veterinarian, IH added. 1:57 Vancouver Island organization educating the public on bats Stick to the Facts Add Global News as a Preferred Source on Google to see more of our stories in your search results. According to IH, rabies is a serious viral infection that affects the brain and nervous system. It can be spread through a bite or scratch from an infected animal. MORE ON HEALTH MORE VIDEOS Alberta woman saves 2 strangers with living organ donations: ‘She’s a hero’ Micro-shelter village being built in Scarborough Halifax woman facing years-long wait for gynecologist calls for better access to health care Japan is now home to more than 100,000 people aged 100 or over Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY HEALTH NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. “Rabies virus is not transmitted through exposure to the spray, urine or feces of infected skunks in B.C.,”…