Rabies warning issued after bear cubs held in Edson

Those who had contact with animals should be screened

After learning of a resident near Edson who was keeping bear cubs captive as recently as last week, Alberta Health Services is advising anyone who may have come into contact with the animals to get screened for rabies.

The health authority says a resident in mid-May kept at least one bear cub, and possibly more, at a property about four kilometres north of Edson.

As a result, any individuals who may have come into contact with the animals should be screened for potential rabies exposure.

“Because it’s an unusual situation, it’s a good way to let people know that they do need to come in,” said Dr. Kathryn Koliaska, a medical officer of health for Alberta Health Services.

“Usually what will happen if somebody has an animal exposure, they’ll contact us. But because it’s an unusual situation, we’re giving them a heads up. A home situation is very different from out in the wild.”

The cubs are believed to have been held at the property between May 14 and May 18, but aren’t there any longer, said Edson-area Fish and Wildlife officer Chad Kujat.

The bears are presumably back in the wild, he added.

Anyone who spots cubs in the area is asked to contact Alberta Fish and Wildlife so local officers can work to determine if they were the ones being held.

Koliaska said the health advisory is mainly a precaution, but added the health authority so far has had no way of confirming whether the cubs were actually carrying the disease.

“We have no confirmation that they were carrying rabies, however, this is our standard way that we respond to an encounter with a wild animal,” Koliaska said.

Rabies is transmitted by saliva, usually through an animal bite, and is “almost always fatal” if left untreated, she added.

“Rabies is one of those things that we probably completely overreact to, but we do that on purpose because it’s preventable with a series of vaccines and shots if we think there’s an exposure,” she said. “Once symptoms present, it’s too late. That’s why we take it seriously.”

Kujat said an investigation into the matter has been launched. It is illegal under the Alberta Wildlife Act to possess any wildlife. While instances of people attempting to keep a wild animal in their possession are unusual, it does happen, he said.

“We have no confirmation that they were carrying rabies, this is our standard way that we respond to an encounter with a wild animal.” DR. K ATHRYN KOLIASKA

“It definitely does occur, there are cases. It can range from bears like these to … deer, moose,” Kujat said. “It just comes back to people picking these things up and taking them home and believing they can nurse them back to health if they’re injured. It’s very stressful on the animals and it’s not natural for them.”

An Alberta man died of rabies in April 2007 after he was bitten by a bat at his rural home east of Edmonton but failed to seek treatment until symptoms developed months later, when it was too late.

People who may have come into contact with the cubs are asked to contact the Alberta Health Services community health office in Edson at 780-7234421. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Anyone potentially exposed to rabies should speak to a public health inspector.