MEMO: Reporting Animal Bites to Public Health
TO: Health Care Professionals in the Niagara region
FROM: M. Mustafa Hirji, MD, MPH, FRCPC Medical Officer of Health & Commissioner (Acting)
REFERENCE: Reporting Animal Bites to Public Health
DATE: Oct. 3, 2018
Overview
- Rabies is present in the
animal population in the Niagara region and surrounding areas
- 27 raccoons and skunks in Niagara have been diagnosed with rabies since December 2015. In Hamilton, there have been 256 animals testing rabies positive (including 2 domestic cats) during this same time period.
- Control programs are in place, but may take years to eliminate rabies from the animal population
- In addition to the raccoon strain rabies in Niagara, we have the ongoing presence of fox strain rabies, and bat strain rabies
Reporting Animal Bites
- Given the risk of rabies from animal bites, Niagara
Region Public Health follows up on all biting incidents to assess if the animal may have rabies, including facilitating testing when warranted
- This assessment can inform primary care decision-making around post-exposure prophylaxis
- Reporting all animal bites to Niagara Region Public Health enables this follow-up in a timely manner
- Under the Ontario Regulation 557 (Communicable Diseases), Section 2 (1), it states that there is “a duty to report all incidents concerning an animal bite or other animal contact where rabies might be involved”
Animal bites may be reported in one of two ways:
- Access the form online to print and fax
- Call Public Health, Environmental Health Division at 905-688-8248 or toll free at 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7590 (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.), after hours: 905-984-3690
If you have any questions about rabies and regulations, please contact the Environmental Health Division at 905-688-8248 or toll free at 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7590 (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).