Warning issued after skunk with rabies captured in Vancouver

Anyone who may have been bitten or scratched by a skunk in downtown Vancouver, the West End or Stanley Park recently must immediately contact Vancouver Coastal Health or go to an emergency room.

On Wednesday evening, the health authority revealed that “a small number of people” had been bitten by a skunk with rabies that was captured in downtown Vancouver.

“While interactions with skunks are rare, a small number of people bitten by the skunk have been assessed and received rabies vaccinations and immunoglobulin to prevent rabies,” the health authority said in a news release.

“Anyone who may have been bitten or scratched, handled, picked up or otherwise had direct contact with a sick or abnormally behaving skunk in downtown Vancouver, West End and Stanley Park area between Sept. 22 and Oct. 17, 2026, should contact VCH immediately for assessment.”

Vancouver Coastal Health can be reached during business hours at 604-675-3900.

After hours, anyone at risk should visit the nearest emergency room.

Pet owners are also being asked to contact a veterinarian immediately if their dog or cat has been bitten, scratched or had recent direct contact with a skunk in those parts of Vancouver.

In B.C., rabies is usually associated with bats. However, bats can infect other animals through bites and scratches. The deadly virus cannot be transferred through feces or urine.

Rabies infections in people are extremely rare in Canada. Infection is fatal but can be prevented when rabies vaccines and/or rabies immunoglobulin are administered promptly after an exposure.

In 2019, a man died on Vancouver Island six weeks after contracting rabies from a bat.

According to Health Canada, 28 people have died from rabies in Canada since 1924. Of those, two were in B.C.

Last month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory in response to recent reports of increases in human exposures to rabid or potentially rabid animals.