Yukon Rabies Risk Management - Guidelines - Health and Social ...

Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
Question 1: Was rabies post-exposure prophylaxis recommended?
The decision to administer rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (RPEP) is made by the CMOH. If the risk to the exposed
person (patient) is high enough that RPEP is either administered or offered, the public may need to be informed of a
past or ongoing risk to public health due to the presence of a rabid animal. This is necessary in order to assess and/
or treat unreported exposures, and to prevent further exposures to both humans and other animals.
Question 2: If yes, is a public communications strategy required?
The decision to recommend RPEP may incorporate some or all of the information used to determine whether or not
to carry out a public communications strategy. However, other information will also be used, such as the vaccination
status of the exposed person. Therefore, it’s important to know why rabies post-exposure prophylaxis was or was
not administered or offered.
To determine whether or not to recommend a public communications strategy based the decision for rabies postexposure
prophylaxis, consult with the CMOH and follow their direction.
Animal Management
Question 1: Was an animal management strategy implemented?
Animal management strategies are determined by the Chief Veterinary Offi cer (CVO) in consultation with the CFIA.
Depending on the specifi c animal management strategy, the public may need to be informed of a possible risk to
public health due to the presence of a rabid animal. This is necessary in order to assess and/or treat unreported
exposures to both humans and other animals. Refer to Animal Health Tab for details.
Question 2: If yes, is a public communications strategy required?
Decisions on appropriate animal management strategies may incorporate some or all of the information used to
determine whether or not to carry out a public communications strategy. However, information may be interpreted
or weighted differently, and tolerances may be lower when considering the risk an animal poses to human health
(e.g., if available, a wild or feral domestic animal that bites someone will always be euthanized, but not necessarily
because rabies is suspected). Therefore, it’s important to know why a particular animal management strategy was
put in place.
To determine whether or not to recommend a public communications strategy based the decision for an animal
management strategy, consult with the CVO and follow their direction.
Question 3: If an animal management strategy was implemented, what were the results?
The result of an animal management strategy is important to know because one possible outcome is that the
animal could develop clinical signs consistent with rabies. The animal may also die for other reasons, or may remain
healthy. Depending on the results, the public may need to be informed of a possible risk to public health due to
the presence of a rabid animal. This is necessary in order to assess and/or treat non-reported exposures to both
humans and other animals.
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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES GUIDELINES | October 2011