Credit National Science Foundation
Three foxes from three Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta communities have tested positive for rabies in recent weeks.
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation said that the rabid foxes were found in Nightmute, Alakanuk, and Bethel. The rabies virus is not unusual in Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta foxes. But the virus is of concern, because it is fatal if left untreated in people and unvaccinated pets.
YKHC urges anyone who is bitten or scratched by wildlife to seek medical attention immediately. The health corporation also encourages everyone to get their pets vaccinated against the virus, and to report to YKHC if a pet is bitten or scratched by wildlife, regardless of whether they’ve been vaccinated against rabies or not.
Credit Olivia Ebertz / KYUK
On April 8, members of the National Guard and other state officials visited the village of Tuluksak to meet with Tribal leaders and community members. The visit came nearly three months after a fire destroyed Tuluksak’s water plant. During the meeting, council members shared their current needs and discussed potential spring flooding.
Snow swirled around the airstrip as a Black Hawk helicopter made its descent. The helicopter was carrying Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, the head of the Alaska National Guard. Also on board were other guard members, officials from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, a representative of the governor’s office, and KYUK s Olivia Ebertz.
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The community of about 200 people possibly reached total vaccination the week of April 9, according to data from YKHC.
Linda and Shara Davis are a mother-daughter duo who work for the health corporation as Mekoryuk’s two health aides. They talked with KYUK in late March, when the community was 98% vaccinated against COVID-19. We’re really happy, relieved, and excited. We feel more at ease,” Linda said.
“I’m really happy that our community members decided to get the COVID vaccine, and relieved too, as well,” Shara added.
The duo ran a constant and personal campaign encouraging vaccination against COVID-19. They made announcements over the VHF radio, and called patients one-by-one. They also connected people who had questions about the vaccine with doctors at YKHC. Their strategy worked; vaccination numbers climbed quickly.
Bethel, Tuluksak and Chevak communities discuss disaster processes with the state Photo By Dana Rosso | Community members of the City of Chevak watch from a safe distance as representatives.. read moreread more Photo By Dana Rosso | Community members of the City of Chevak watch from a safe distance as representatives from of the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development load onto an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Chevak, Alaska, April 9, 2021. Members of the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development traveled to Western Alaska April 7-9 to meet with Tribal leaders and citizens in Bethel, Tuluksak, and Chevak to d