ADF&G sends rabid moose roaming Teller

A moose that was killed in Teller last week had been infected with rabies, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has confirmed. This case marks the first record of rabies in a moose in the state.
Last Friday, several Teller residents saw a cow moose swaying through the village and behaving strangely. The animal was stumbling, drooling profusely, and aggressively charging at people.
ADF&G wildlife veterinarian Dr. Kimberlee Beckmen advised agency staff in Nome to drive to Teller and kill the moose, both because of the animal’s aggressive behavior and its symptoms. compatible with rabies. Tissue samples were sent to the Alaska State Virology Laboratory. The rabies virus in the brain was confirmed on Monday.
“This is the first recorded confirmation of rabies in a moose in Alaska and this moose likely contracted the rabies virus after being bitten by a rabid fox,” said Sara Germain, ADF&G region biologist based in Nome. “While finding rabies in a moose is not common, it is not unexpected as we know that there is currently increased rabies activity in the Norton Sound area and that rabies can affect n any mammal.”
People should report strangely behaving animals to the ADF&G as soon as possible so the agency can respond in a timely manner, Germain said. Unusual behaviors may include excessive salivation, aggression, and a weak or wobbly appearance.
Animals like foxes that are culled and killed because they are thought to be sick should be brought to ADF&G — not left in the country — because their carcasses could pose a risk of rabies transmission, Germain stressed. Other foxes found dead must also be reported to the department.
In the case of the moose in Teller, Germain said ADF&G coordinated with the town of Teller to use a helicopter chartered by Bering Air to sling the moose carcass to the local dump for burning. She said burning the carcass destroys the rabies virus and prevents transmission.
The region has already been on rabies alert this year. ADF&G and Norton Sound Health Corporation collected foxes for rabies testing. In late April, the ADF&G reported that nearly a quarter of 61 foxes sent to Nome and surrounding areas had tested positive for rabies, representing an increase in cases. A rabid fox also attacked a child outside Nome Primary School in January.
The cause of the severe rabies outbreak in this region is unknown, but experts have speculated that an abundance of lemmings in 2021-2022 could have enabled a fox boom cycle.
The moose incident will prompt more testing.
“This was the first diagnosis of rabies in a moose in Alaska, but there have been previous cases of rabies in moose in South Dakota, Minnesota and Russia,” Dr. Beckman said. “The diagnosis of rabies in moose is rare, but very few moose are tested regularly. Only those with neurological signs are screened for rabies and other potential causes of brain inflammation (chronic wasting disease, parasitic migrations, toxicities). Due to this case, all available brain samples from wild mammals found dead or euthanized in areas with enzootic fox rabies will be screened for rabies when possible.

Prevention
Rabies is almost always fatal if not treated with proper medical care. Dog bites represent the most common risk of exposure to rabies for humans. The best rabies prevention measures are to have pets vaccinated against rabies and to keep dogs on a leash, not to let your dog roam unsupervised, and not to leave trash or dog food outside. which can attract foxes. Additionally, dogs should not be allowed to feed on wild animal carcasses, as this may pose a risk of exposure to rabies.
Because rabies infections come with symptoms, moose or other normally behaving large mammals are unlikely to be infected, Germain said. And the risk of a moose transmitting rabies to a person is slim. Moose will not transmit rabies to a person or pet unless they bite, or a person cuts themselves with a knife used to cut off the head or spine of an infected animal, Germain said.
To report sightings of strange or dead animals, the ADF&G regional office in Nome can be contacted at 907-443-2271.
The agency also encourages people to send photos of injured wildlife and descriptions of their behavior to the Wildlife Health Veterinarian: [email protected].
The NSHC advises anyone bitten or scratched by an animal to wash the wound with soap and water and immediately call their local clinic for further instructions. The NSHC Office of Environmental Health can be reached at 907-434-1659 or 907-434-0543 and the NSHC Supplier Hotline can be reached at 907-443-6411 or 844-586-8773.
The Alaska State Virology Laboratory also does rapid testing. The Alaska Epidemiology Section can be contacted for more information: 907-269-8000.