Rabies cases spike in Canada: 397 animal cases reported in first nine months of 2026

Canada is experiencing a sharp rise in confirmed rabies cases in animals, with 397 laboratory-confirmed cases reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency from January through September 2026 — compared to 281 cases for the entire year of 2025.

The spike is being driven by increased rabies activity in raccoons, particularly in Quebec. "Increased rabies activity in raccoons, particularly in Quebec, is a major factor contributing to the higher number of confirmed rabies cases reported this year," the CFIA said Friday. Quebec has confirmed 313 raccoons with rabies since the beginning of 2026, and the virus has transmitted to three cats.

In British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health issued a bulletin Wednesday after a single skunk with rabies bit a small number of people in the West End neighbourhood between September 22 and October 17. Those affected have been treated.

Rabies is a viral infection affecting the nervous system and brain. In humans, the disease is rare in Canada but almost always fatal if untreated before symptoms appear. The virus infects nerves at the entry site, travels to the spinal cord and brain, and leads to death. Transmission occurs through bites or scratches from infected animals, with saliva being the most common source.

The main carriers of rabies in Canada are bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. Bats are the leading carrier, and their bites or scratches can be tiny and easily missed — health authorities urge anyone with suspected contact with any bat to seek care immediately. These animals can transmit the virus to domestic cats, dogs, and farm animals.

If bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal, the immediate steps are to wash the wound with soap and water and seek medical attention. Treatment consists of a series of vaccines and an immunoglobulin injection — a ready-made antibody administered to fight the virus while vaccines mount an immune response. The vaccine schedule calls for a shot immediately, then on days 3, 7, and 14. Side effects are usually mild.

Rabies symptoms typically appear three to eight weeks after exposure. There is no treatment for rabies in animals, and confirmation of rabies requires examination of the brain after death.