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Every year, the Health Unit investigates over 400 animal bites. Bites, scratches or other contact with animals can lead to rabies, a dangerous disease that can be fatal.
The risk of rabies is very low in our area. Although no household cats or dogs have tested positive for the rabies virus, the virus has been found in some local wildlife and it is just a matter of time before pets are affected. Bites, scratches or other contact with infected animals can lead to rabies, which is a dangerous disease if not treated. Treatment is available, but is needed in very few cases. |
Click on the links below to learn more about animal bites and rabies, as well as bats and rabies:
Animal Bites:
Rabies:
Bats and Rabies
More information:
Are all animal bites reported to the Health Unit?
Yes, any person who has information about a bite or any other contact that might result in rabies has a legal duty to report this information to the Health Unit, as quickly as possible.
The quickest way to do this is by phone at one of the following numbers:
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Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 625-8318 or 1-888-294-6630, extension 8318.
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After hours: Nurses Registry 1-807-623-7451
An "Animal Bite / Exposure Report" will need to be completed with the name, addess and phone number of both the victim and the owner of the suspect animal (if applicable). The form must then be faxed to the Health Unit at 807-625-4822.
Section 2(1) of Ontario Regulation 557 (Communicable Disease General) of the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act states:
2. (1) A physician, veterinarian, police officer or any persons who has information concerning any animal bite or other animal contact that may result in rabies in persons shall as soon as possible notify the medical officer of health with the information. R.S.O. 1990.Reg.557, s.2(1)".
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What does the Health Unit do when they investigate an animal bite?
Public Health Inspectors from the Infectious Disease program will:
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Investigate the incident to determine if there is a risk.
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Make sure that the suspect animal is isolated for the correct amount of time according to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care protocols.
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Visit and inspect the isolated animal before it is released to make sure it does not show any signs of rabies.
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Release the vaccine if a doctor decides that the victim needs to be treated.
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What will happen if my pet (dog, cat, or ferret) bites or scratches someone?
If an animal that you own or are looking after bites or scratches a person, the Health Unit needs to be contacted right away. A Public Health Inspector will contact you (or the owner of the animal). To find out if the animal had the rabies virus in its saliva at the time of the bite/scratch, the animal must be watched for signs of illness for at least 10 days. It should take 10 days or less for the virus to make an animal ill after it has reached the animal’s saliva.
During this time:
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The animal must be isolated and confined.
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Only the person caring for the animal should be near the animal.
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All people and other animals must be kept away.
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The animal must not be allowed to run free and it must be tied and/or fenced in the yard when outside in the yard.
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The animal must be leased (and preferably muzzled) when taken for a walk.
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The animal must not be destroyed, sold, or given away.
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The animal must be kept alive until it is released by a Public Health Inspector.
If you are not able to confine or isolate the animal at home, get in touch with your veterinarian or local Animal Services for other options.
If the animal gets sick or dies, the Health Unit MUST be called right away. If you have any questions about the care of your pet during the 10 day confinement period, talk to your Public Health Inspector.
A Public Health Inspector will contact you towards the end of the 10-day period and arrange to release the animal. The inspector must see the animal to verify it is healthy and alive. These releases are done during the regular business week.
Contact the Health Unit and the Public Health Inspectors by calling:
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Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. - 625-8318 or toll free 1-888-294-6630 ext.8318.
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Weekends and after hours - Nurse’s Registry at 1-807-623-7451
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Will the Health Unit take my pet away?
No, if you confine and isolate your pet properly, the Health Unit will not take it away.
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Does it have to be a 10-day isolation period?
Yes, this is the law. The time can be longer but never shorter.
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How can I protect myself and family against animal bites?
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Make sure your pets are on a leash at all times. Prevent them from running free in the neighborhood or in the woods.
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Stay away from wild animals. Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
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Be careful when approaching strange animals, even if they are leashed and with their owners.
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Do not touch stray animals even if they seem to be friendly.
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Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or has puppies.
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Stay still if approached by a dog. Stay calm if threatened. If you are knocked to the ground by an animal, lie flat facing the ground with your hands covering your neck.
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Dogs may bite when they feel threatened, are scared, excited or even startled. Dogs naturally protect their property, including their house, a car, their young (e.g. puppies) and their owner(s).
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Walk backwards slowly away from a dog when it becomes aggressive. Do not stare directly at the dog.
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What is rabies?
Rabies is a serious disease that is caused by a virus. The disease is contagious and affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Warm blooded animals can get the disease and pass it on to others. Once symptoms appear in humans and animals, it is fatal.
An animal usually contracts rabies from the saliva (bite) of another animal that has the disease. Rabies is most often seen in wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. It may also be seen in livestock and pets, such as dogs and cats.
The rabies virus may be spread to a human through a bite or scratch from an infected animal. It can also enter the human body through a break in the skin. In rare cases, exposure can also occur if infected saliva or nervous tissue gets into a fresh wound or mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose and mouth. The most common period of time between exposure to the virus and the development of symptoms is 3-8 weeks, but this may be as short as 9 days or as long as 7 years.
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What are the signs that an animal has rabies?
Animals with rabies will act differently from healthy animals. Animals with rabies may change their normal behaviour by:
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Becoming more aggressive, timid or shy
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Drooling more than usual
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Having problems eating or drinking
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Moving slowly (wild animals)
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Being afraid of water (hydrophobia)
Squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, chipmunks, rats, mice, rabbits, and hares are unlikely to be infected with rabies. Their bites rarely need treatment against rabies; however, the bite may need medical attention.
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What is the treatment for possible exposure to rabies?
Your doctor may give you a vaccine to prevent the disease. The vaccine will be given based on the guidelines your doctor has received from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Also, a Public Health Inspector will investigate the incident and collect information from both you and the animal owner (if applicable). The information collected may include the type of animal, the circumstances surrounding your exposure, and other information as required. A complete risk assessment will be conducted for each incident.
If the doctor decides that you need the vaccine, you will be given five doses of the vaccine in the upper arm (or thigh in a small child) over a scheduled period of one month. An additional dose will be given at the site of the bite. Talk to your doctor about any possible allergies, side effects and health concerns.
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How can I protect myself and my family against rabies?
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Avoid any animal that is dead or that you suspect has rabies.
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If you wake up and there is a bat in your home, call your doctor and the Health Unit, immediately.
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Make sure all pets and farm animals are regularly vaccinated against rabies.
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If your pet is bitten by another animal or in a fight with an animal, contact a veterinarian.
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Avoid wild animals. Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
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Do bats carry rabies?
Bats have the potential to carry the rabies virus.
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Where can I get more information about bats and the potential for rabies?
Click here for a copy of the “Rabies Information for Victims and Pet Owners” brochure that includes a section on bats and rabies.
Click here for more information from Health Canada
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Where can I get more information about animal bites and rabies?
If you have any questions, please a Public Health Inspector in the Infectious Diseases program at 625-8318 or toll-free 1 888 294 6630 ext 8318.
Click here for a copy of the “Rabies Information for Victims and Pet Owners” brochure.
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