- Pre-exposure vaccination against rabies in all age groups, in both primary series and booster doses.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies in all age groups.
Rabies is a deadly disease
Once symptoms appear, rabies is fatal in almost 100% of cases
rabies can occur almost anywhere
Find your destination on the map to see
if you might be at risk for rabies exposure
Worldwide, rabies remains a public health threat in more
than 150 countries—
including Canada and the US.
RABIES CAUSES AN ESTIMATED 70,000 DEATHS WORLDWIDE PER YEAR, ABOUT 40% OF WHICH ARE IN CHILDREN UNDER AGE 15.
Note: RabAvert is not indicated to treat the symptoms of rabies or reduce the consequences associated with the onset of rabies symptoms.
WHAT IS RABIES?
Rabies spreads to humans through contact with saliva from
an infected animal. This usually happens through a bite, scratch,
or lick to an open wound or mucous membrane (your eyes,
nose, or mouth).
You cannot get rabies from simply petting an animal or from coming in contact with its other bodily fluids (such as its blood or urine).
in close contact with animals.
Rabies in Canada
All 28 cases of rabies reported in Canada since 1924 have been fatal.
In 2012, a person died from rabies after contracting the disease outside the country.
In 2024, a child died after contact with an infected bat in their home.
Rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease. Once symptoms start,
it’s almost always fatal.
Note: RabAvert is not indicated to treat the symptoms of rabies or reduce the consequences associated with the onset of rabies symptoms.
What are the signs
and symptoms
of rabies?
Symptoms generally appear 3–8 weeks after exposure to the virus, but the incubation period varies from one week to one year. Exposure can take the form of a bite, scratch, or lick.
Early rabies symptoms include:
Fever
Tiredness
Headache
Anxiety orirritability
Around the wound, you might also experience:
Pain
Tingling
Numbness
Itching
Remember—once the symptoms set in, there is no treatment.
Ask your healthcare professional to see if your lifestyle, job,
or travel plans put you at risk for rabies.
ANY MAMMAL CAN BE INFECTED WITH RABIES
Outside of North America, about 99% of cases of rabies
are transmitted to humans from infected dogs.
Dogs
Remember, even though they may be cute, many animals—especially dogs—can pose a risk of
rabies exposure.
Other animals that may transmit rabies abroad include:
BATS
CATS
MONGOOSES
MONKEYS
JACKALS
Any contact with a potentially rabid animal requires immediate medical attention and may cut your trip short.
Rabies risks
may be bigger
than you realize–
Rabies risk may be bigger than you realize– even when you’re sticking closer to home
Some activities and destinations—even familiar places, like the cottage—may put you
at increased risk of rabies exposure.
Activities that may put you at risk:
Hunting
Camping
Hiking
Cycling
(off-road cycling,
mountain biking, etc.)
Cave
exploration
Children are also generally considered to be at higher risk, since they often approach and play with animals and may be less likely to report a bite or scratch.
Some jobs may also increase your risk of rabies exposure, including: veterinary staff, animal control officers, animal shelter or rescue workers, and anyone involved
in direct work with wildlife, including bats.
BATS
Since the mid-1960s, 100% of human rabies cases in Canada have been transmitted
by bats.
Bats usually transmit rabies through biting,
but their bites are small and may
go unnoticed.
Other animals that pose a risk of rabies transmission
in Canada and the US include:
SKUNKS
FOXES
RACCOONS
RabAvert
can help protect you and your family pre- and post-exposure to rabies
- Pre-exposure vaccination against rabies in all age groups, in both primary series and booster doses.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies in all age groups.
- Get vaccinated against rabies.
- Avoid close contact with animals.
- If you are bitten, scratched, or licked, or have any exposure to bats, immediately contact your healthcare professional to assess whether you should receive post-exposure prophylaxis treatment.
Get to know RabAvert
RabAvert is a vaccine that can help protect adults and children against rabies. You can get the vaccine before exposure (vaccination) or after exposure (emergency treatment) to help prevent infection.
In a post-exposure (emergency) situation, RabAvert can be given to anyone.
How RabAvert works
RabAvert is injected into the muscle. It then induces your immune system to produce antibodies (the substances your body uses to fight an infection) that provide adequate protection against the rabies virus.
Booster doses can be given every 2–5 years as appropriate. Talk to your healthcare professional about whether a booster is right for you.
Identify travel destinations where vaccination with RabAvert and other vaccines may benefit you and your family.
Had contact with a potentially rabid animal?
Don’t wait—ask for RabAvert at your nearest urgent care centre.
Taking RabAvert:
Pre-Exposure vaccination
The usual dose for pre-exposure vaccination with RabAvert is three shots:
one injection
on each of Days 0, 7, and 21 (or 28).
Individual booster doses can also be given.
TAKING RABAVERT:
POST-EXPOSURE EMERGENCY TREATMENT
The usual dose for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) depends
on whether
you have been previously vaccinated.
For those who did not receive
pre-exposure vaccination, five shots will be given: one injection each on Days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28. On Day 0 only, the vaccine is administered in conjunction with rabies-specific immunoglobulin (RIG).
For those who did receive pre-exposure vaccination, two shots will be given: one injection each on Days 0 and 3.
RIG should not be given in these cases.
Important safety information
RabAvert is indicated for:
-
Pre-exposure vaccination against rabies in all age groups, in both primary series and booster doses.
-
Post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies in all age groups.
Like all vaccines, RabAvert may not fully protect all people who are vaccinated.
The most common side effects are injection-site reactions, flu-like symptoms, and rash. Anaphylaxis and neuroparalytic events have been reported to be temporally associated with the use of RabAvert.
Talk to a healthcare professional about vaccination with RabAvert.
