Since 16th September 2011 rabies has been diagnosed in one polar fox and two reindeer, according to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
At present, seven people have been administrated post-exposure prophylaxis. No human cases of rabies have ever been diagnosed in the area. Svalbard has a population of 2.700 people of which 2.200 are in Longyearbyen and some 500 in the Russian settlement of Barentsburg.
The hospital in Longyearbyen offers rabies vaccination to the population, according to a information-bulletin to the public posted at the portal of the Governor of Svalbard this weekend.
Rabies was diagnosed for the first time in 1980 during an outbreak in the Arctic fox population. From 1980 to 1999, a total of 25 animals were diagnosed with rabies on the islands, including three reindeer and one ringed seal. No further cases had been reported until the diagnosed case in a polar fox in January 2011.
The current rabies situation does not warrant any travel restrictions to the Svalbard islands. The Governor of Svalbard, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health are following the situation closely.
Mainland Norway remains rabies-free.
