If you have any questions, please call the Infectious Diseases Program at 807-625-8318 or toll-free 1 888 294 6630 ext 8318.

The vast majority of animal bite investigations undertaken by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit involve domestic animals such as cats and dogs. However, human contact with any warm blooded animal whether it is domestic or wild (fox, raccoon, bat, etc...) legally must be reported. Because bites, scratches or licks from bats may go unnoticed, a person who has or may have had contact with a bat should immediately contact his or her doctor and the Health Unit. Examples of this type of contact include: waking up and finding a bat in your room or tent, or finding a bat in a room with a child, impaired person or mentally challenged person.

Animal Bite Reporting - Its the Law

Section 2(1) of Ontario Regulation 557 (Communicable Disease General) under the Health Protection and Promotion Act outlines the legal obligation to report animal bites and scratches to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit in an expeditious manner.

The quickest way to do this is by phone at one of the following numbers:
Main Office (Thunder Bay) 807-625-8318 or 1-888-294-6630, extension 8318.
After hours: Nurses Registry 807-623-7451

You will be asked to fill out a copy of the "Animal Bite / Exposure Report" and fax it to us at: 807-625-4822

We will need to obtain the name, address and phone number of both the victim and the owner of the suspect animal.

The Role of the Health Unit

1. Investigate potential human exposures to rabies from animal contacts.
2. Ensure required isolation and confinement of animals according to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care protocols in liaison with the CFIA (Health of Animals), OMAF (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food), and Animal Control.
3. Confine and visually inspect isolated animals prior to release.
4. Make recommendations and deliver post rabies exposure prophylaxis (treatment) to physicians in circumstances where vaccination may be required.
5. Promote the immunization for dogs and cats against rabies.

If you have any questions, please call the Infectious Diseases Program at 807-625-8318 or toll-free 1 888 294 6630 ext 8318.

What is Rabies?

Rabies is an infectious disease that is caused by a virus. Rabies is distributed worldwide in various mammals. The reservoir of the virus includes both wild and domestic animals. In the USA and Canada, wildlife rabies most commonly involves skunks, raccoons, and bats. Worldwide death due to rabies is estimated at 50,000 people per year.

Rabies virus is spread from one animal to another, or from an animal to a human, through close contact with saliva of an infected animal i.e. bites, scratches, licks on broken skin.

Rabies is a slow progressive disease that is characterized by a fatal meningoencephalitis. The virus enters nerve endings and advances toward the spinal cord, and the brain. Once it reaches the brain, the virus multiplies and then travels through the nerves to most parts of the body. The infection cycle is completed when the virus replicates in the salivary glands and is shed in the saliva. By this time, the disease has usually damaged the brain, producing either a submissive or violent behaviour. It eventually causes death, which usually occurs from cardiac or respiratory arrest.

For more information Click here for Rabies Information for Victims and Pet Owners.