State Of Alaska Press Release
For Immediate Release
Rabies
June 7, 2023 (Juneau) – First detection of rabies in an Alaska moose (Teller, Western Alaska)
Early in the morning of June 2, ADF&G Nome area staff received several reports about a moose that was
in and around the community of Teller and acting aggressively towards people. The moose was
unbalanced, stumbling, drooling profusely, and had bare patches of skin. ADF&G staff in Nome
consulted with ADF&G wildlife veterinarian Dr. Kimberlee Beckmen and dispatched the animal that
afternoon due to its aggressive behavior and signs suggestive of rabies disease. ADF&G staff collected
samples from the moose and sent them for testing. ADF&G staff also coordinated with the City of Teller
and burned the carcass.
Rabies virus in the brain was detected on June 5 by the Alaska State Virology Laboratory. On June 6, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further confirmed the virus was an Arctic Fox rabies variant.
This is the same variant circulating in red foxes during the outbreak in the Nome/Seward Peninsula and
North Slope arctic foxes this past winter, suggesting the moose contracted the virus from a fox.
This is the first recorded confirmation of rabies in a moose in Alaska. This is also the first recorded in
North America. Rabies diagnoses in moose are rare, but there have been moose diagnosed with rabies
in Europe. In Alaska, only those moose with neurologic signs are screened for rabies (along with other
potential causes of brain inflammation, such as Chronic Wasting Disease, parasite migrations, or
toxicities).
Due to this new case, ADF&G plans to increase rabies surveillance by testing all brain samples from wild
mammals found dead or euthanized from regions with enzootic fox rabies , including Western Alaska,
when feasible. Members of the public can help by calling ADF&G if they find a dead mammal or see a
mammal with any signs of rabies (excessive salivation, abnormal / aggressive behavior, bite marks, etc.)
Pictures or videos of the animal are helpful, but it is important to not come into contact with a
potentially rabid animal or carcass.
Due to the largely solitary nature of moose, it is very unlikely that any rabies outbreak will occur in the
moose population, but isolated cases such as this one occur rarely. Moose that are killed by hunters on
the Seward Peninsula that show normal behavior and no signs of any abnormality or illness should still
be considered safe to consume. Precautions when butchering moose or other mammals for human
consumption would include using rubber or latex gloves. When done handling game wash hands
thoroughly with soap or disinfectant, and disinfect knives, equipment and surfaces that were in contact
with game. You should not eat, drink or smoke while handing game, and should cook the game to an
internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Vaccinating dogs and cats against rabies continues to be the most important way to prevent rabies
disease in people. Likewise, preventing pets from interacting with foxes or other wildlife, and not leaving
garbage or other attractants accessible to foxes and other wildlife, remain important.
If a person is bitten by a wild animal or a pet that may have been exposed to rabies, immediately wash
the wound with soap and water and seek medical attention. Contact the Alaska Section of Epidemiology
for more information: 907-269-8000.
Please report wildlife found dead or acting abnormally to the nearest ADF&G area office as soon as
possible so staff may respond appropriately.
NOTE: This press release has been corrected. This is the first recorded confirmation of rabies in moose
in North America.
Rabies resources:
• ADF&G Rabies webpage:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=disease.general1
• Alaska DOH/Section of Epidemiology Rabies webpage:
https://health.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/rabies/default.aspx
Media Contact: For more information email Dr. Kimberlee Beckmen, Wildlife Veterinarian,
907-459-7257,
dfg.dwc.vet@alaska.gov
###
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/applications/publicnotification/2023/releases/R5-AA-23-1055.pdf
