Grey-Bruce Public Health sees first animal rabies case of the year
Public Health says the bat was submitted for testing earlier this week as part of the investigation into a potential human exposure.
'While the risk of acquiring rabies locally remains very low, this case highlights the importance of avoiding contact with wildlife and taking other steps to prevent animal bites and scratches,' says Chimere Okoronkwo, a senio public health manager with GBPH.
According to health experts, rabies is commonly transmitted through direct contact with saliva from an infected animal. This can be anything ranging from a bite or, a scratch.
Bats, skunks, foxes, and raccoons are the most common animals to carry rabies around the province.
Once symptoms appear, the rabies virus is 100 per cent fatal in people and animals, according to experts. However, vaccines are highly effective at preventing the disease.
In 2024, there were 91 confirmed wildlife rabies cases in Ontario, with the majority involving bats.
Public health advises people to do the following to protect against rabies:
Stay away from wild animals and always refrain from touching, petting, or handling wildlife or keeping wild animals as pets.
Avoid feeding wild animals.
Keep pets away from wild animals, and do not let pets roam unsupervised.
Wildlife-proof homes and yards.
Do not disturb baby animals.
Warn children to stay away from wild or stray animals.
Do not trap and transport wild animals to a new location.
Have your pets vaccinated for rabies; it is the law in Ontario that all cats, dogs, and ferrets over three months of age are vaccinated for rabies.
Public Health also asks people to take the same steps to prevent bites from unfamiliar dogs.
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