Cat with rabies prompts 3 people to receive emergency treatment in Montreal area

Three individuals in the Montreal area have received emergency preventative treatment for rabies exposure. The treatment, known as post-exposure prophylaxis, involves a multi-dose vaccine series. This action was taken after a stray cat in the Montérégie region was confirmed to have raccoon rabies.

The Quebec government announced the first confirmed case of raccoon rabies in a cat in Godmanchester, Montérégie. This incident highlights the risk of transmission from wildlife to domestic animals. Raccoon rabies cases are increasing in Quebec, with 118 confirmed cases so far in 2026, compared to 93 for the entirety of 2025. Approximately 80 percent of the 2026 cases have been identified in the Montérégie region.

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This demonstrates that the disease, which is already spreading among wildlife in certain regions of Québec, can also be transmitted to domestic animals.

Chantal Vallée, a spokesperson for the Montérégie Public Health Department, emphasized the importance of immediate medical attention. She stated that rabies is fatal once symptoms appear. Individuals who have been bitten, scratched, or exposed to saliva from a suspicious animal should wash the affected skin for 15 minutes and contact Info-Santé at 811 without delay for preventive treatment.

To mitigate rabies risks, Quebec authorities recommend keeping pets vaccinated, preventing them from roaming unsupervised, and avoiding contact with wild or unknown animals. They also advise consulting a veterinarian if a pet interacts with a wild animal, isolating any pet showing rabies symptoms, and taking measures to avoid attracting wildlife near homes.

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Rabies is a fatal disease in humans, as soon as symptoms have started to develop. This is why we would like to emphasize the importance for people who have been bitten, scratched or in contact with the saliva of a suspicious animal, to wash their skin for 15 minutes and to call Info-Santé at 811 without delay so that preventive treatment can be administered to them.