Some animals can carry rabies. If an animal bites or scratches you, it’s important to act quickly.
Call us if you’ve been bitten or scratched by an animal.
What should you do if you’re bitten or scratched by an animal?
If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal, please follow the steps below:
Step 1
- Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water.
Step 2
- Seek medical attention (see a doctor) as soon as possible.
Step 3
- Call and report the animal bite/scratch incident to Public Health Sudbury & Districts:
Step 4
In the Greater Sudbury Area
- Call and report the incident to the Greater Sudbury Animal Shelter
- For other areas, contact your local municipal office for more information.
Rabies
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous systems (brain and spinal cord) of warm-blooded animals. Have your pet vaccinated and reduce the possibility of rabies transmission.
Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms occur. Rabies can occur in any warm-blooded animal, domestic and wild- commonly, dogs, cats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, wolves and bats. Animals having potential interactions with people such as cattle and horses can acquire rabies and may transmit the disease to humans.
Visit Health Canada for detailed information, tools and facts about symptoms, risks and how to prevent, treat and manage illness.
- Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for anyone involved in occupations that put them at high risk of rabies exposure.
- People with continuing high risk of exposure, such as veterinarians, should have their serum tested for rabies antibodies every 2 years.
- Others working with live rabies virus in laboratories or vaccine production facilities who are at risk of inapparent exposure should be tested every 6 months.
- Those with a titre level of <0.5 IU/mL should be given a booster dose of either HDCV OR PCECV.
All domestic animals should be vaccinated in areas where rabies is known to occur. Canada is not rabies free. Animal owners should consult with their veterinarian about an appropriate vaccination schedule for their pets and livestock.