Officials warn Halifax residents about raccoon distemper, disease can spread to pets

HALIFAX – For at least the third time in a decade, distemper is spreading through Nova Scotia’s raccoon population.

The province says the disease is always present in nature, but it is more prevalent than normal this year in Kings, Hants and Colchester counties.

Mike Boudreau, a biologist for the Natural Resources Department, said Monday the outbreak will definitely reduce raccoon numbers.

He said the disease spreads quickly because raccoons are so social.

Distemper initially appears as an upper respiratory infection and eventually pneumonia develops followed by brain damage and possible paralysis.

While the disease can’t be spread to humans, it can be spread to pets than have not been vaccinated.