Animal bites can result in the transmission of rabies. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the brain and central nervous system and can be spread to mammals (including people and animals – both wild and domestic) through contact with saliva or nervous tissues from an infected animal.
The most common way rabies virus is transmitted is through a bite or scratch from a rabid animal. Rabies can also be spread when infected saliva or nervous tissue comes in contact with an open wound or is introduced into a mucous membrane like the eyes, nose or mouth. Rabies cannot be transmitted through contact with the blood, urine or feces of an infected animal. The main animals that transmit rabies in Ontario include bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes.
In most cases, once symptoms appear, the rabies virus is almost always fatal. Symptoms of a rabid animal may include trouble walking or standing, weakness, paralysis, seizures, difficulty breathing, difficulty eating/drinking/swallowing, excessive salivation, behavioral changes (aggressive, quiet/depressed, unusually friendly) and self-mutilation.
Post-Exposure Management
- Wash animal bite wounds immediately with soap and clean running water and seek medical attention promptly.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis is available when indicated by a physician after animal- bite exposure (Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) and Rabies Vaccine). The RIG is based on your current body weight.
- The rabies vaccine is a series given on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28. Day 0 is the first dose given as soon as possible after exposure (when indicated by a physician).
- A Public Health Inspector will contact you to conduct a follow-up.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis can be delayed if the animal can be located and isolated for ten days to determine if the animal was ill with rabies at the time of the exposure.
- If you have previously been immunized with the rabies vaccine, two doses of the vaccine are recommended on days 0 and day 3 (no RIG) if indicated by a physician.
Animal Bite Reporting
Ontario Regulation 557/90 (O. Reg 557/90) sets out the duty to report animal bite and contact information: “A physician, registered nurse in the extended class, veterinarian, police officer or any other person who has information concerning either or both of the following shall, as soon as possible, notify the medical officer of health and provide the medical officer of health with the information, including the name and contact information of the exposed person:
- Any bite from a mammal.
- Any contact with a mammal that is conducive to the potential transmission of rabies to people.
Fax the completed Animal Exposure Report to our Reportable Diseases fax line at 1-855-WDG-LINE (1-855-934-5463).