Interior Health confirms rabies in Kootenay Lake region skunk

Interior Health has confirmed that a skunk in the Kootenay Lake region tested positive for rabies. The animal is believed to have been infectious between August 15 and September 4, 2026.

Medical health officer Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi stated that the health authority arranged for testing as soon as reports emerged regarding a sick animal interacting with people. While several individuals who may have been exposed have already been assessed and treated, specific details regarding the location or identity of those exposed are being withheld for privacy reasons.

Interior Health is urging anyone in the Kootenay Lake region who has been bitten or scratched by a skunk, particularly after August 15, to contact a local public health office, primary care provider, or emergency department immediately. Pet owners are also advised to take any animals that may have had contact with the skunk to a veterinarian.