BITE REPORTING FORM FOR BITE VICTIMS or PET OWNERS:
Animal bite / potential rabies exposure report form
BITE REPORTING FORM FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS:
Rabies virus can be carried by any mammal and passed to people through bites, scratches, and fluid contact. Human rabies infections are rare, but potentially deadly. Rabies is ALWAYS FATAL unless the bite victim is fully vaccinated after the incident. The rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is a series of four vaccine doses administered over two weeks, begun as soon as possible after the incident.
If you or your child have potentially been exposed to rabies, or if your pet has bitten someone, please fill out our Animal bite / potential rabies exposure report form or call the health department as soon as possible.
Potential rabies exposures:
The following animals ARE potential sources of rabies:
The following animals are NOT sources of rabies and do not need to be reported or tested:
All mammal bites or exposures (except small rodents) must be reported to the health department. Animal bite reporting and quarantine requirements are found in sections 28 and 29 of Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3701-3.
Bites from pet animals result in that animal being placed under quarantine for 10 days to observe the health and behavior of the animal. No animal shall be released from quarantine unless it is up to date on its rabies vaccination. The health department issues the quarantine order and checks on the status of rabies vaccination. The animal will not be taken away by the health department.
Bites from wild animals often result in testing the animal’s brain for rabies (if possible). The health department arranges for the testing by sending specimens to the Ohio Department of Health laboratory.