Ontario Regulation 557 - Communicable Diseases requires any person who has information concerning any animal bite or other animal contact that may result in rabies in persons shall report as soon as possible to the public health unit using the rabies and animal exposure incident report form.

The rabies report exposure form is faxed to the Public Health Unit. If the matter is urgent or if you need to consult with a Public Health Inspector you can call your Health Connection at 1-877-721-7520 ext. 8811 or after hours at 1-888-225-7851. Once the public health unit receives a report a follow-up will be done with the victim and the animal owner. 

In most circumstances, if the animal is available, health unit staff will confine the animal for a ten day period at the owner’s home under the owner’s surveillance to observe for rabies symptoms. Confinement period begins from the date of the bite and if the animal is still alive after the ten days, rabies transmission to the victim is ruled out. Health unit may then need to follow up with the owner regarding the rabies vaccination status for the animal. 

For more information on rabies, quarantines and wildlife, please visit our rabies section.