Rabies in Humans
Ohio law requires that all animal bites must be reported to the Local Health Department within 24 hours, so the biting animal can be located, and ordered quarantined or tested in a timely manner.
Immediate and thorough treatment of all bite wounds and scratches is the most effective means of preventing rabies. Scrubbing with soap and water, detergent and water, or generously flushing with water alone should be done immediately and be continued for at least 10 minutes.
All victims should be referred to a physician for further treatment and evaluation of rabies exposure risk. The following information shoud be considered to determine the patient's risk for rabies:
 | Type of exposure |
| Species of animal |
| Circumstances of the bite incident |
| Availability of the animal for observation or testing |
| Vaccination status ( if appropriate) |
| Amount of wildlife rabies in the area |
Administration of the anti-rabies post-exposure treatment series is a medical urgency, not a medical emergency, but the decisions must not be delayed. The ultimate decision to treat with anti-rabies biologicals is made by the physician and the patient, although the local health department my provide helpful information to assist with the decision. In most instances, if the biting animal is available for testing or quarantine, treatment can be delayed until the results of testing are available or quarantine is initiated.
For more information on the rabies vaccines , contact the Ohio Department of Health, Infectious Disease Control at (614)466-0283 or http://www.odh.state.oh.us/ODHPrograms/ZOODIS/Rabies/rab1.htm