Rabies

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Rabies is a fatal disease for humans and warm-blooded animals and occurs in Svalbard. The disease can be prevented through vaccination, but it cannot be treated after the infected person has developed clinical symptoms. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health recommends that everyone who will come into contact with wild animals in Svalbard is vaccinated.

Hunting
Hunters must take rabies into account when planning and conducting hunting as well as handling slaughter.

Everyone participating in hunting should be fully vaccinated against rabies. If it has been more than two years since vaccination (full vaccination or booster), an antibody test should be taken to see if the vaccine is still protective, or a booster vaccine should be taken at least 7 days before participating in the hunt.

Hunters who have not been previously vaccinated and hunters who have been previously vaccinated but do not take an additional booster dose or do not have satisfactory antibody levels are not recommended to participate in hunting. People who are not fully vaccinated will have limited protection against rabies. Protection is gradually built up after the first dose, but is only fully effective seven days after the last dose.

People with a weakened immune system may have uncertain effects from the vaccine and should not participate in hunting.

Only animals that are behaving normally should be hunted. Avoid animals that show no fear of humans, wander aimlessly, are disoriented, appear sick, paralyzed or partially paralyzed.

Slaughter from visibly sick animals, or animals with unusual behavior, should not be handled.

If hunters observe sick animals or animals with abnormal behavior, this must be reported to the Governor so that they can consider whether the animal should be euthanized and examined for rabies.

Regardless of whether you have been previously vaccinated, anyone exposed to an infectious agent must contact the health service as soon as possible. It is important to remember that rabies is a fatal disease.

Remember good hygiene during slaughter.