10/22/2026
𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗗 𝗦𝗞𝗨𝗡𝗞 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧 … (𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗥𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗱) … Vancouver Coastal Health is notifying the public that a skunk captured in downtown Vancouver has tested positive for rabies. 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.
Rabies virus is found in the saliva of infected animals and can be transmitted through a bite or, less commonly, a scratch from an infected animal. Rabies virus is not transmitted through exposure to the spray, urine or f***s of infected skunks.
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 (see shaded red area in map) between September 22 and October 17, 2026, should contact VCH immediately for assessment. Contact VCH Public Health at 604.675.3900 Monday-Friday (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.). After-hours/weekends, visit an Urgent Primary Care Centre or go to an Emergency Department for assessment.
