Why does the Health Unit get involved?
We are required by law to respond to all reports of animal-to-human bites and/or scratches. Rabies is a high risk and serious infection for humans that must be treated quickly, as it usually leads to death.
Learn more about the law that governs our work related to rabies:
- Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 557 - Communicable Diseases - General
- Ontario Public Health Standards: Management of Potential Rabies Exposures Guideline, 2020, and Rabies Prevention and Control Protocol, 2023.