Quebec has confirmed its first case of raccoon rabies in a cow as an outbreak of the disease continues across the province.
The Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food says the cow died on Oct. 30, the same day it first showed symptoms. The infection was confirmed on Wednesday.
The animal was a young, unvaccinated female cow in Coaticook, in the Estrie region.
Three cats in the Montérégie region also tested positive for raccoon rabies over the summer.
The province has reported 329 cases of the disease this year. The outbreak began in 2024 and has mainly affected raccoons, but infections have also been found in skunks and foxes.
Rabies can infect all mammals, including humans. It is usually spread through the saliva of an infected animal, most often through a bite.
Quebec is carrying out surveillance and vaccination programs in affected areas. The government is also offering financial support to livestock producers who vaccinate their animals and is urging pet owners to keep their pets’ rabies vaccinations up to date.
Officials are reminding the public to avoid contact with wild, domestic or farm animals that may be infected.
