Rabies is a serious viral disease most often transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected mammal or through contact with an infected animal’s saliva. In Canada, foxes, skunks, raccoons, and bats may be reservoirs capable of transmitting infection to dogs, cats, livestock, and people. Once symptoms appear, the disease is fatal. Annually, the Durham Region Health Department conducts, on average, over 1,400 rabies investigations to protect the public from the transmission of rabies.
Upcoming low-cost rabies vaccination clinics
Rabies investigations
The Health Department investigates all animal bites and scratches to prevent the spread of rabies to humans.
Anyone with information regarding an animal bite involving a human is required to report that information to the Health Department as soon as possible.
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Role of the Health Department |
The Health Department investigates potential human exposure to rabies after an animal exposure as per the Ontario Ministry of Health Protocols, which includes:
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Role of pet owners during confinement period |
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. |
Animal bite reporting |
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. |
Upcoming low-cost rabies vaccination clinics
Keep vaccinations up to date for all dogs, cats and ferrets. Immunization against rabies is required by Ontario Regulation 567/90 Rabies Immunization under the Health Protection and Promotion Act for cats and dogs three months or older.
Clinics in Durham Region |
Saturday, October 26, 2024 Hosted by Oshawa Animal Services, in partnership with Simcoe Rossland Animal Hospital and Durham Region Health Department.
Saturday, November 16, 2024 Hosted by Pickering Animal Services, in partnership with Millennium City Veterinary Hospital and Durham Region Health Department.
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Clinics outside Durham Region |
Protect yourself and your pets from rabies
Rabies in Durham Region infographic
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 ownersIf 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:
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:
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 call your local municipality's animal services to have the animal removed from your neighbourhood. Animal services contacts: Ajax Brock Township Clarington, including Courtice Oshawa, East Whitby and Columbus Pickering Scugog and Uxbridge Whitby |
Update on raccoon rabies in Southern Ontario |
Fact sheets |
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