A two-year-old girl in Granby, Quebec, is recovering after being bitten by a skunk that was later confirmed to be infected with raccoon rabies.
The incident occurred on November 3 at a daycare facility. According to the toddler's mother, Jessika Champagne-Robert, the two-year-old named Léticia was heading outside with classmates when the skunk approached, climbed her leg, and bit the back of her knee. Daycare staff quickly intervened and pulled the animal away.
Following the attack, the child was taken to a hospital, where she received a rabies vaccination and antibiotics. Her mother reports that she is recovering well, though public health officials are using the event to highlight an ongoing rise in wildlife rabies across the province.
Quebec's Environment Ministry reports that 361 cases of raccoon rabies have been confirmed in local wildlife, impacting raccoons, skunks, and a small number of domestic animals like cats and a cow. Officials have rolled out mass immunization campaigns for at-risk wildlife, particularly in the Montérégie, Estrie, and Centre-du-Québec regions.
Veterinarians and health authorities advise residents to keep household pets vaccinated, avoid all contact with wildlife, and immediately wash any potential bite or scratch wounds with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes before calling 811 for medical attention.
