Final answer:
Domestic animals, especially dogs and cats, must be vaccinated for rabies in Ontario to prevent the spread of this deadly disease. Wildlife oral vaccine programs target common reservoirs of rabies. Post-exposure vaccination in humans can prevent the virus from being fatal, making vaccination of domestic animals a key preventive measure.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Ontario, rabies vaccinations are required for domestic animals, particularly dogs and cats. Taking proactive measures to prevent the spread of rabies is crucial as it is a deadly zoonotic disease caused by the rabies virus (RV), which can be transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Rabies has a profound impact on the nervous system and can be fatal once symptoms appear. Due to this danger, routine vaccination of domestic animals is imperative to reduce the likelihood of human infection.
Vaccination programs exist not only for domestic pets but also for wildlife. These include oral vaccine programs that target wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes, which are common reservoirs of the disease in the United States. In Ontario, similar programs help to control the disease in wildlife populations.
For humans, if there is suspicion of being bitten by a rabid animal, immediate vaccination can prevent the virus from reaching the central nervous system. It's important to remember that once a person begins to exhibit symptoms of rabies, the disease is almost always fatal, with treatments being palliative rather than curative.