Rabies
Information about rabies in Ontario, and what to do if you think you’ve come into contact with rabies.
- For more information on rabies and the rabies oral vaccine bait, please call our Rabies Information Line at
1-888-574-6656 (monitored during business hours only)
What is rabies?
Rabies is caused by a virus that can infect any mammal, including humans. Birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish do not get rabies. In infected mammals, the virus is found in saliva and can be spread through three main ways:
- Bites that break the skin
- Getting infected saliva in an open cut, sore, or other wound
- Getting infected saliva in the mouth, nose, or eyes
The animals that most often transmit rabies in Ontario are bats, foxes, skunks and raccoons. Once signs of rabies appear, in any animal, the disease is virtually always fatal. A series of vaccinations and treatment with rabies antibodies can prevent infection in humans in most cases if administered soon after exposure.
Rabies management in Ontario
Rabies response and prevention in Ontario is a joint effort involving members of the public, Public Health, veterinarians, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).
Wildlife vaccine baits
Learn how Ontario controls rabies in wildlife by dropping baits that contain vaccine in urban, forested and rural agricultural areas.
Rabies cases
Read details and maps of confirmed cases of rabies in Ontario from 1958 until today.
Rabies in humans
How people contract the rabies virus, what to do if you’re exposed to the virus and what you should know about the rabies vaccine.
Rabies in wildlife
Information about rabies in wildlife, how it’s controlled and what to do if you think an animal has rabies.
Rabies in pets
How pets get rabies, what do to if your pet is exposed and what you need to know about the rabies vaccine and travelling to the United States with your pet.
Rabies in livestock
How livestock get rabies, how to protect them from it and what to do if an animal is exposed to or suspected of having rabies.