Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that affects the nervous system and the brain. Rabies is a disease of warm-blooded animals, most commonly foxes, skunks, bats, cattle, dogs and cats. Exposure to rabies is considered to have occurred when:

• an infected animal's teeth penetrate the skin as in a bite or if
• an infected animal's saliva or other potentially infectious material, such as brain tissue, comes into contact with scratches, abrasions, cuts or mucous membrane.

The incubation period for rabies varies in different species

• When an animal bites a person or another animal for no reason.
• When the bite is severe and the skin is broken.
• If the animal cannot be confined and put under observation.
• When you know that the biting animal has not had rabies vaccine. (Note: a small number of animals have developed rabies despite prior vaccination. Therefore even vaccinated animals must be carefully evaluated if they are exhibiting signs suggesting rabies.)
  

• behaves in an unusually tame or unusually aggressive manner;
• becomes restless and excitable and attacks a person or another animal without reason;
• appears to have difficulty swallowing or has weakness in the limbs;
• has a decrease in appetite or refuses to eat.
  

• Flush the wound immediately with lots of soap and water, detergent or water alone.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• Confine the animal if possible and place under observation.
• Report the incident to the local medical health officer and to the nearest district veterinarian who will assess the situation and make recommendations about confining and observing the animal.
  

• Persons who have had a high-risk exposure as described above under "When should you be concerned about rabies?"
• Travellers who will be spending more than 30 days in an area where rabies is a threat.
• Persons who work in high-risk occupations, including veterinarians and animal control and wildlife workers in areas where rabies is present.

Rabies vaccination should be started as soon as possible after exposure. A full course of immunization includes five injections of vaccine over a month if there is no history of any previous rabies vaccination. If there has been previous vaccination, three doses are required. The injections are given in the muscle of the upper arm in adults and in the upper thigh in infants. Rabies Immune Globulin should be administered with the first dose of rabies vaccine but at a separate site.

Reactions such as redness, soreness, itchiness and swelling at the site of injections may occur in 30-74 per cent of recipients. Mild systemic reactions such as headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches and dizziness may occur in 20 per cent of recipients. Serious reactions are very rare.

Local pain and low-grade fever can follow Rabies Immune Globulin.

There is no contraindication to the use of rabies vaccine after significant exposure to a proven rabid animal.

• Have your pets vaccinated regularly.
• Keep your pets on a leash.
• Don't go near stray animals.
• Warn children to stay away from any wild animals or animals that are not known to you.
• Report unusual animal behavior to a veterinarian. See your doctor and call public health if an animal has bitten you.

If you have questions or concerns, talk with your doctor or a public health official.