Rabies can be passed to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. The virus attacks the brain and nervous system and is not curable once symptoms develop. The health unit investigates every reported animal bite to assess for potential rabies exposures.
Staying Safe Around Animals
Adults should remind children that you cannot tell whether an animal has rabies by looking at it. Children should:
- Always ask permission before petting a dog or cat.
- Tell an adult right away if they ever see a lost, unfamiliar or injured animal.
- Never touch or play with a wild animal, even squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, rabbits or bats.
- Tell an adult right away if they have touched an animal or are scratched or bitten by one.
- Learn about the risks of contact with wild or unknown animals. Resources in both English and French.
Report all animal bites and scratches to the health unit.
What To Do If An Animal Bites or Scratches You
If you have been bitten or scratched by a dog, cat, livestock or a wild animal, such as a bat or raccoon:
- Immediately and thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water, then flush the area with water.
- If there is an animal owner, try to get their name, address or phone number.
- Seek medical attention from your health-care provider, go to a walk-in clinic or hospital emergency department promptly.
- Report the incident to the health unit at 705-721-7520 x 8811 or 1-877-721-7520 x 8811. You can also complete the Rabies and Animal Exposure Incident Report and fax it to the Rabies Program at 705-725-8132.
A public health inspector will follow up with you to assess your risk of rabies exposure and provide next steps based on the assessment.
Dog and Cat Health Observation Period
When a person is bitten or scratched by a domestic animal, such as a dog cat, a public health inspector may implement an observation period to ensure the animal did not have rabies at the time of the exposure. Healthy animals are not removed from their owners during this observation period. If the animal remains healthy and free of rabies symptoms during the observation period, there is no risk of rabies transmission to the exposed person. The owner must provide proof of the pet’s current rabies vaccination to the health unit.
Post Exposure Treatment
Treatment for Rabies
Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a combination of rabies immune globulin (RIG) and rabies vaccine that prevents rabies from developing after a potential exposure to the virus.
Who should receive rabies post-exposure treatment?
If you have been exposed to the saliva of an animal or bat, contact your health-care provider and report the exposure to the health unit. A public health inspector will work with you and your health-care provider to assess your risk of rabies exposure and arrange access to publicly funded rabies PEP if needed.
Health-care providers do not keep rabies PEP in stock.
If I have received rabies PEP in the past, am I still protected from rabies?
If you have been potentially exposed to rabies, contact your health-care provider. Previous rabies vaccination or treatment with rabies PEP does not provide lifetime protection. A risk assessment is required after every potential rabies exposure to determine whether additional treatment is needed.
