Human Case of Rabies in Ontario
Advisory Alert
September 9, 2024
*Cette information est seulement disponible en anglais.
To: Health Care Providers
FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
First Human Case of Rabies Confirmed in Ontario Resident since 1967
You have likely seen news reports of the first domestically acquired case of human rabies in Ontario since 1967. This individual was exposed to a bat in Northeastern Ontario (Temiskaming Region) in August. Our collective hearts go out to the individual and their family during this difficult time.
Preventing Rabies
- Since rabies is nearly always fatal, preventing it is absolutely essential.
- Patients should be advised to avoid interacting with wild animals in order to avoid exposure or other injury.
- If a patient has been bitten or scratched by any animal or had any interaction with a bat (marks from bat bites are often very difficult to see), it is essential that they wash the area with soap and water, promptly seek medical attention, and the incident be reported to public health.
- While public concern may be higher for animal bites from terrestrial animals such as skunks, raccoons, foxes, or dogs, the reality is that bats are the most common source of rabies in Northern Ontario.
Reporting to Public Health
- Physicians and nurses in the extended class have a duty to report animal-to-human exposures to Public Health in order to determine a patient’s need for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (rabies immunoglobulin and vaccine).
To report a human exposure, or suspected or confirmed case of human rabies:
- During regular business hours (on business days from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), please call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200, ext. 464.
- Outside of regular business hours, please call 705.688.4366 and request to have the on-call public health inspector contact you.
- IMPORTANT: you must also fill out and fax the Animal Incident Reporting Form (fillable PDF, printable PDF) to 705.677.9607.
When assessing a patient for rabies, health care providers must use the appropriate infection prevention and control measures to prevent rabies exposure from the saliva of their patient. This includes personal protective equipment such as gloves, a medical mask, and face shield.
If you have any questions with this advisory alert, please do not hesitate to contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Original Signed By
M. Mustafa Hirji, MD, MPH, FRCPC
Acting Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer
NOTE: All Advisory Alerts are found on our website.
This item was last modified on September 9, 2024