Rabies

The Health Department investigates potential human exposure to rabies after an animal exposure as per the Ontario Ministry of Health Protocols, which includes:

1. Immediate reporting and documentation
   We collect detailed information about the animal exposure incident to accurately assess the risk and determine the next steps in the investigation.
2. Risk assessment
   We evaluate the risk of rabies transmission based on the type of animal, its behaviour, and the circumstances related to the exposure. This helps us understand the likelihood of rabies virus transmission.
3. Animal confinement and testing
   Animals may be confined for a 10 or 14-day observation period, depending on the type of animal. Wild animals might be captured and tested. This helps us determine if the animal was infectious at the time of the exposure (bite or scratch), which is crucial for determining treatment for the person exposed.
4. Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) recommendation
   If there is a significant risk of rabies, the exposed person should consult their health care provider for treatment advice, as rabies PEP would be recommended. This treatment is highly effective in preventing rabies if administered promptly.
5. Public education and awareness
   We provide information to the public about rabies prevention and control, the importance of vaccinating pets, and avoiding contact with wild animals. This helps prevent future incidents and reduces the overall risk of rabies transmission.

Pet owners must confine and isolate their pet (dog, cat, or ferret) for a 10-day observation period following a bite or scratch to ensure that they are not transmitting the rabies virus at the time of the exposure. If the animal remains alive and healthy at the end of the 10-day period, it can be determined that it did not transmit rabies through saliva at the time of the exposure.

Pets must be kept away from other people and animals during the observation period.

Owners must notify the Health Department immediately if their pet escapes or dies during the observation period so appropriate action can be taken.

Contact the Durham Health Connection Line to report your pet's death, escape, loss, theft or illness.

Owners must not vaccinate their pets for rabies during the observation period. They must ensure their pets receive their rabies vaccination after the Health Department releases them from confinement. In Ontario, it is required to ensure that dogs, cats, and ferrets three months of age or older have a current rabies vaccination status.

Report all animal bites to the Health Department following Ontario R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 557. Anyone who has information about an animal bite or other animal contact that could cause rabies should notify the Medical Officer for the Health Department.

Report an animal bite online

Other rabies vaccine clinics in Ontario.

Adopting and importing pets from overseas

There are important considerations to remember and follow when adopting and importing pets from overseas to ensure animals and humans in Durham Region and Ontario are protected against diseases such as rabies. While the risk of rabies transmission in Canada from dogs and cats is considered to be low, the risk is considerably higher in many other countries. The Canadian government recognizes these countries as rabies-free for cats and dogs. According to the World Health Organization, rabies infection continues to cause tens of thousands of human deaths globally every year, mainly in Asia and Africa, and in up to 99 per cent of these cases, domestic dogs are responsible for rabies virus transmission to humans.

Information for prospective animal owners

If you and/or your family are interested in adopting a dog from a breeder, rescue organization, or shelter, there is important information you should consider in order to avoid importing or accepting a sick and/or infectious dog that may pose a risk to your health, the health of others and the health of other local animals here in Ontario.

There are also animal welfare concerns associated with transporting dogs from overseas. Imported dogs can also have significant behavioural issues if they were not properly socialized and never lived in a home prior to being adopted, which can lead to an increased risk of biting.

Before adopting a dog, especially from another country:

• Review the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s requirements for importing animals from other counties.
• Be aware of the potential issues that may arise after adoption (for example, acute or chronic infectious diseases, unresolvable behavioural issues).
• Ensure the organization from which you are receiving the dog is a reputable business/source (request references, speak to others who have adopted through the same agency, or consult your own veterinarian).
• Ask about the dog’s medical history, including vaccinations, deworming, and prior treatment for any diseases or conditions, including injuries or illness. Ensure all medical records will be provided at the time of adoption.
• Ask about where the animal lived and how it was cared for prior to importation. For example, was it a stray or did it spend time in a kennel / shelter (where it would be exposed to lots of other dogs), was it an owned dog that primarily lived outside (where it would have exposure to wildlife or livestock), or was it an owned dog that is used to living indoors (and would be used to being around people).
• Talk to your veterinarian about specific disease risks that may be a concern based on the dog’s country of origin and arrange to have the dog examined by your veterinarian as soon as possible after arrival.

After adopting a dog, especially from another country:

To help protect people and pets from rabies, Ontario law (Regulation 567, Rabies Immunization) requires animal owners to vaccinate dogs, cats and ferrets over three months of age against rabies. The vaccine must be administered by a veterinarian registered in the province of Ontario and with a rabies vaccine licensed for use by Health Canada. If you have imported an animal from outside of Ontario, you must ensure it is vaccinated against rabies in Ontario as required by Regulation 567, Rabies Immunization, even if the animal has a current rabies vaccination certificate from another jurisdiction.

Additional precautions to follow include:

• Have the dog examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible after arrival, in order to detect any signs of active or chronic infection or injury. Your veterinarian can also make recommendations for any additional vaccinations, vaccine boosters, diagnostic testing and additional follow up examinations.
• Keep the dog segregated from other animals and high-risk individuals (e.g. people who are immunosuppressed, very young, elderly or pregnant) for two to four weeks after arrival to monitor for any signs of illness (including infectious diseases) or significant behavioural concerns.
• Remember that rabies may present in an animal up to six months after it is exposed to the virus from a rabid animal, even if the pet was vaccinated after the exposure.
• Have a behavioural assessment performed by a professional organization.
• Adhere to local licensing requirements. For more information contact local municipal animal services.

Information for organizations (e.g., rescue agencies)

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for regulating the importation of animals, including dogs, into Canada. The importation of animals is regulated to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases, such as rabies, that could have adverse health impacts on local animals and people.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for conducting inspections on behalf of the CFIA. If an animal is found to be non-compliant with the CFIA’s humane transport and/or import requirements, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) may refuse the animal entry or refer it to the CFIA for further inspection.

Breeders, rescue agencies and shelters should review the CFIA’s requirements for importing animals from other counties. Be aware that new regulatory requirements for importing commercial dogs less than eight months of age for breeding or resale (including adoption) came into effect in May 2021.

In addition, these organizations should ensure prospective owners or caretakers of all animals they provide, including imported animals, are given appropriate and sufficient information (see above) to manage any risks to animal and human health.

Report stray animals

To report lost, injured, wild or stray animals, please call your local municipality's animal services for more information.

Animal services contacts:

Ajax
Town of Ajax Municipal Office
Animal Services Department
65 Harwood Ave. South
Ajax, ON L1S 2H9
905-683-8275

Brock Township
Township Office
1 Cameron Street E., P.O. Box 10
Cannington, ON L0E 1E0 
1-705-432-2355 or 1-866-223-7668

Update on raccoon rabies in Southern Ontario

• Rabies surveillance map
• Hamilton Public Health
• Niagara Region Public Health

Fact sheets

• Facts about... Rabies
• Facts about... Rabies and bats
• Rabies... animal contact and rabies exposure and guidelines for Durham Region
• Rabies, your pets... and the role of the public health inspector