Measles

Measles continues to circulate in Huron and Perth. For information about measles, community exposure locations, and how to protect yourself and others, visit the Measles page. 

Rabies

Rabies is a fatal disease that attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). You can get rabies from a bite or scratch by an animal with rabies. 

In order to prevent human cases of rabies, Huron Perth Public Health investigates human-animal exposures (bites or scratches). 

You must report all animal bites or scratches to Huron Perth Public Health right away for follow up. This includes exposure with a domestic animal (eg., cat or dog), livestock, or a wild animal. Several types of animals have tested positive for rabies in Huron and Perth counties, including bats, skunks and cows.

If you have been bitten or scratched by a domestic animal (e.g. cat or dog), livestock, or a wild animal (e.g. bat or raccoon), follow the steps outlined below:

  • If there is an animal owner, try to get more information about them, such as their name, address and/or phone number.
  • Wash the wound with soap and water.
  • Contact your healthcare provider, go to a care clinic or hospital emergency department right away if you were bitten, scratched, or exposed to the animal's saliva or direct contact with a bat.
  • Contact HPPH to report the incident as soon as possible: Call 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3670; after hours/weekends 1-800-431-2054

A public health inspector will contact the owner of the animal to ensure the animal is confined and monitored for 10–14 days, typically at home. Animals that appear healthy are not taken from their owners. Once the observation period ends, the inspector will also follow up with the individual who was bitten or scratched. If the incident involves a wild or untraceable animal, post-exposure vaccination may be recommended. 

If needed, Public Health Inspectors will ensure that animals are up to date with rabies vaccination.

If you see an animal that you think may have rabies, contact your local animal control office. You can avoid the risk of rabies and animal bites or scratches by following these tips: 

  • Be aware of the presence of unfamiliar or wild animals in your neighbourhood 
  • Review the warning signs of rabies in wild animals and pets 
  • Have your pets vaccinated for rabies; it is the law in Ontario that all cats, dogs and ferrets over 3 months of age are vaccinated for rabies. Public Health Inspectors review vaccination certificates when cases of pets biting people are reported to the health unit.
    • Low-cost rabies vaccination clinics are held in Huron Perth several times a year. Please visit the Stratford Perth Humane Society webpage for more information. Blyth Veterinary Services also hosts low-cost rabies vaccination clinics in partnership with HPPH. Follow HPPH on Facebook or X for clinic announcements. 
  • Walk your pets on a leash and keep them inside at night
  • Don't feed or touch wild, stray or unknown animals
  • Don't leave food out
  • Avoid animals that appear sick or are acting strange
  • Don't trap wild animals
  • Don't keep wild animals as pets
  • Bat-proof your home and cottage 

Huron Perth Public Health does not provide pre-exposure vaccine. If you will be travelling to areas where rabies is common and there is little to no access to medical care, or you are working in a job that may expose you to rabies (e.g., veterinarian, animal control worker etc.) contact a healthcare provider to request pre-exposure vaccination.

Information for Healthcare Providers

Healthcare providers are required to notify Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) of any animal bite or contact that could cause rabies. View the recommended management of patients with rabies exposure. 

Immediately report all animal exposure incidents to Huron Perth Public Health. Complete the Rabies Animal Exposure and Post Exposure-Prophylaxis form and fax to 1-833-482-7820. 

A public health inspector will investigate and complete a risk assessment to determine if rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (rPEP) is recommended per Ministry of Health Guidelines. 

For urgent consultations regarding a suspicious animal exposure, a head, face or neck exposure, or for the release of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, please call: 

Please also use the Rabies Animal Exposure and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis form to report to HPPH any rabies immune globulin (RabIg) and/or rabies vaccine used in ER departments so we can replenish stock in a timely manner. 

For individuals who were not previously immunized against rabies: 

  • Physicians can request rabies post-exposure prophylaxis from HPPH 
  • For immunocompetent patients, treatment involves administration of immune globulin and four doses of rabies vaccine over a 14-day period 
  • For immunocompromised patients or those taking antimalarials, an additional fifth dose of vaccine is given and antibody titres should be determined 7 to 14 days after completing the series 

For individuals previously immunized against rabies: 

  • Administer two doses of rabies vaccine on day 0 and day 3 
  • Do not administer immune globulin 

Please ensure you review the PHO document, How to Administer Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (page 7) before starting a patient on immune globulin and/or vaccine to ensure proper dose calculation and avoid any errors.

Note: You must notify HPPH whenever vaccine and/or immune globulin is used by completing the vaccine section of the Rabies Animal Exposure and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis form. 

HPPH does not provide pre-exposure vaccine. Individuals who require pre-exposure vaccine due to travelling to areas where rabies is common and where there is little to no access to medical care, or working in a job that may expose them to rabies (e.g., veterinarian, animal control worker etc.) are advised to contact their healthcare provider.

For more information about treating patients with rabies, view: 

Contact Us

Huron Perth Public Health

Huron Office
77722B London Road, RR #5, Clinton, ON
N0M 1L0

Perth Office
653 West Gore St., Stratford ON N5A 1L4
Toll-free 1-888-221-2133
askhpph@hpph.ca

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