Managing Possible Rabies Exposures

Public Health

Provided by Fraser Health

A phone line available for advice regarding suspected rabies exposure.
If An Individual Presents With Animal Contact/Potential Rabies Exposure:
  • Approval and release of rabies prophylaxis (immune globulin and vaccine) can only be authorized by a Medical Health Officer (MHO).
  • For rabies exposure consultations, during weekdays 8:30 – 16:30, call Fraser Health Public Health Communicable Disease Environmental Health Officer (CDEHO) at 1-866-990-9941 and select option 2. The MHO is available after hours (evenings, weekends, and statutory holidays) at 604-527-4806.
  • Note – if the patient presents to your care shortly after the exposure, manage the exposed site similar to other wounds. It is very important to wash the contact site with mild soap and copious water for at least 15 minutes. Also consider updating tetanus vaccine as required.

Scenarios Individual's May Encounter And Recommended Actions:
  • Direct contact with a bat: If a patient reports direct contact (e.g., bite, scratch, unprotected handling/touching) with a bat, please call Fraser Health Public Health. Public Health will conduct a risk assessment to determine whether rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (RPEP) is indicated. RPEP is not indicated for every case of possible direct contact with a bat and will be provided at the discretion of the MHO.
  • Bat in a room: RPEP is not indicated if there is no history of direct contact. BCCDC guidelines indicate that if a bat was found in the house or if someone woke up with a bat in the room without any evidence it touched someone then RPEP is not indicated (BCCDC, 2025). A clear patient history of direct contact with a bat is important to document. When a bat is found in the room of a child or someone whose history may be less reliable, assessment of direct contact can be difficult and contacting Fraser Health Public Health is appropriate.
  • Contact with other animals (not a bat): Terrestrial mammals are not known to be reservoirs of rabies in British Columbia. Therefore, rabies is extremely rare in pets and domestic animals or wildlife in B.C. Rabies risk is higher in animals recently imported from outside B.C. (in the last six months) or animals with signs compatible with rabies (BCCDC, 2021) or if the exposure occurred while travelling. Please call Fraser Health Public Health for an assessment in these cases.

604-527-4806 (After Hours Line)

The MHO is available after hours (evenings, weekends, and statutory holidays)

1-866-990-9941 ext. 2

For rabies exposure consultations, during weekdays 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Cost: No cost

Referral options:

  • Self-referral
Associated Programs/Services

Also offered by Fraser Health:

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Availability

Service area: Fraser Health Area + show cities

Service area cities: Abbotsford, Agassiz, Aldergrove, Anmore, Boston Bar, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Delta, Fort Langley, Harrison Mills, Hope, Ladner, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, New Westminster, North Delta, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Sardis, South Surrey, Surrey, Tsawwassen, White Rock, and Yale

Service Types Provided
Ways to Access
  • After Hours Services
  • Provided by phone

The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.

Pathways does not provide medical advice. If you have an emergency please call 9-1-1. If you require assistance navigating services please call 8-1-1.

For general inquiries or for assistance, please email us:

community-services@pathwaysbc.ca

If you are requesting clinical access to medical Pathways, please provide the following information via the email above:

  1. First Name
  2. Last Name
  3. Email
  4. In which city/town do you work?
  5. What is your role? E.g. Family Physician, Office Staff, Medical Resident
  6. Employer Name (for office staff)
  7. Office Phone

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