During the 1980s, Ontario averaged 2,000 cases of rabies per year. Since the rabies-vaccine baiting program began in 1989, the number of rabies cases in Ontario has been reduced by 95 per cent.

For the most recent information on the number of rabies cases in Ontario as well as additional information about rabies in animals, visit the The Rabies Reporter Web site.

1. What is the incubation period of rabies in animals?
2. What is the period of communicability of the virus?
3. How can I tell if an animal has rabies?
4. What can I do to help prevent the spread of rabies?

What is the incubation period of rabies in animals?

The incubation period, which is the time period between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms, can range from approximately two weeks to many months.

What is the period of communicability of the virus?

The period of communicability is the time period that an animal can transmit rabies to another animal or a human. Animals may be able to transmit the virus during the period that they show symptoms of rabies (if there is infectious virus in their saliva). They may also be capable of transmitting the virus before showing symptoms of rabies. For example, dogs and cats may transmit the virus for three to seven days prior to showing symptoms, and bats may transmit the virus for 12 days prior to showings symptoms of rabies.

How can I tell if an animal has rabies?

In general, any animal behaving abnormally should be suspected of having rabies, and should be avoided.
In animals, rabies may exhibit two forms, dumb or furious rabies.
In dumb or paralytic rabies :

• Some animals may show signs of depression and will try to hide in isolated places
• Wild animals may lose their fear of humans and appear unusually friendly; and/or
• Animals may show signs of partial paralysis such as abnormal facial expressions, drooping head, sagging jaw, or paralyzed hind limbs.

In furious or irritable rabies :

• Animals may show signs of extreme excitement and aggression;
• Animals may gnaw and bite their own limbs;
• Animals may attack stationary objects or other animals; and
• Periods of furious rabies usually alternate with periods of depression.

Rabid animals may exhibit any combination of the above two forms or they may exhibit no clinical symptoms at all.

What can I do to help prevent the spread of rabies?

There are several things you can do to help prevent the spread of rabies.

• Do not feed or handle wild or stray animals, especially those that appear aggressive, sick or exhibit any abnormal behavior.
• Do not keep a wild animal as a pet.
• Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control for assistance.
• Have your pets vaccinated against rabies according to instructions from your veterinarian.
• Keep your pets indoors at night so they do not come in contact with wild animals.
• Keep your pets on a leash.
• Report stray animals to your local animal control office so that an animal control officer can investigate.
• If your cat or dog has been bitten or attacked by a wild animal or has bites or scratches of unknown origin, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately.
• Don't leave table scraps or leftover pet food outside where it will attract wild animals.
• If your cat or dog has bitten a person, contact your local public health unit to report the incident.
• Reduce your chances of contact by animal-proofing your house, cottage and workplace.
• Do not relocate wildlife. It is illegal and can contribute to the spread of rabies.

• Rabies in Humans
• Rabies in Pets
• Rabies in Wild Animals
• Rabies Vaccinations for Humans