If the clinical evidence suggests rabies, the medical officer of health will immediately report all known facts about the animal and any attacks it has made to the Ontario Ministry of Health and steps can be taken to protect everyone involved. Treatment of People Anyone bitten or scratched by an animal known or suspected to be rabid should be treated as soon as possible. The person may also require treatment if the animal's saliva may have contacted a rash, hangnail, or any other existing raw break in the skin. Treatment usually consists of five injections of anti-rabies vaccine given over a period of a month. For most people, vaccine inoculations have no unpleasant side effects.
Some people react more severely to the vaccine, feeling weak or nauseous or developing headaches.
Many thousands of Ontarians have taken injection series over the past 15 years because of exposure to rabid animals and, in this period, there has not been a case of human rabies in the province. You don't want rabies to attack you, your children, your animals or anyone else you care for. Keeping the following do's' and don'ts' in mind can help you to prevent this from happening. Have all your pets and domestic animals vaccinated against rabies and repeat the vaccinations yearly or as advised by your veterinarian. Do not approach and attempt to play with stray cats or dogs or other animals, and caution your children not to do so either.