Rabies in Niagara
Niagara has confirmed cases of rabies in animals.
Learn how to protect against rabies and what to do if an animal bites you.
Statistics in Niagara
Protect against rabies
Every owner or person having the care or custody of a cat, dog or ferret three months of age or over must have them immunized against rabies.
To help protect against rabies:
- Don't feed wild animals
- Warn your children to stay away from wild or stray animals
- Don't attempt to trap wild animals on your property
- Don't keep wildlife as pets
- Don't touch dead or sick animals
- Don't try to nurse sick animals to health
- Don't relocate any wild animals
Video: Protect Against Rabies
Learn from a Public Health Inspector how to protect against rabies.
Have you been bitten by a dog or cat?
Rabies is transmitted through saliva from bites or scratches from infected animals. If you have been in contact with an animal that might have rabies, you should:
-
Wash the wound - Use soap and antiseptic under running water for five minutes
-
See a doctor - The rabies vaccine needs to be administered soon after exposure
- Report the animal - Give the doctor as much information about the animal as possible
Your doctor will contact Public Health who will investigate the incident.
As part of the investigation, if the animal can be located, a health inspector will require a 10-day observation period of the animal to monitor for signs of rabies. We will not remove a healthy animal from the owner.
After 10 days, the health inspector will return and release the animal if it's healthy, and upon conclusion of the investigation, follow up with the person bitten or scratched.
If you're bitten by an animal other than a dog or cat, each situation will be risk-assessed by Public Health to determine next steps.
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
