CK Public Health Inspectors follow up on potential exposure incidents. Inspectors will ensure the animal involved is up to date with rabies vaccination, healthy and remains healthy for a confinement period which is usually 10 to 14 days. Testing for rabies virus is available in situations when the animal cannot be confined but is usually reserved for wild, stray or gravely ill domestic animals. Only deceased (dead) animals can be tested for rabies.

If the investigation cannot be completed, or rabies testing is not available, rabies can be prevented with rabies post exposure prophylaxis which includes vaccine and immune globulin.

• Immediately clean and flush the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
• See your healthcare provider or go to the hospital as soon as possible.
• Ensure your health care provider reports the incident to CK Public Health.
• Report the bite or scratch to CK Public Health.

If a wild animal is acting strangely or found dead on your property and no people or pets have had contact with the animal, call the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Rabies Information Line at 1-888-574-6656.

By law, all cats, dogs and ferrets older than three months must be immunized for rabies. Please work with your veterinarian to ensure your pet is protected and has required their routine vaccines.

Farm animals, like horses, cows, bulls, steers, calves or sheep that contact the public must also be vaccinated for rabies.