Rabies and Animal Bite or Scratch Information for Health Care Providers
You can most commonly find Rabies virus, in Canada, in foxes, skunks, bats, and racoons, but any furred animal can contract and transmit rabies. In the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) catchment area there has not been any known rabies in many years, but we also have large, forested areas with little to no human presence meaning that we cannot rule out rabies in wildlife in the area as there may be affected animals of which we have no awareness.
Reporting an exposure
To report an animal bite, please complete the Animal Bite / Exposure Report form and fax it to 807-468-3914.
Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis
If you are treating a patient who has a suspected exposure to rabies, the Ministry of Health provides publicly funded post-exposure prophylaxis rabies vaccine and immune globulin. Most hospitals and local NWHU offices have rabies kits in stock. To access a rabies post-exposure kit:
- Contact your local hospital pharmacy/ER department
- Contact your local public health unit office – Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 4:30
- After-hours support is available 24/7 at 807-468-7109
If you administered post-exposure prophylaxis to the patient, please complete the Rabies medical report and fax it to 807-468-3813.