2 bats test positive for rabies in Peel Region: health agency

Public health officials in Peel Region are warning the public to be vigilant after they say they've confirmed two cases of rabies in bats.

The cases are in theProfessor's Lake area of Brampton and one in south Mississauga, Peel Public Health said in news release issued Thursday.

The agencysays so far no people have been impacted by the disease.

Peel Public Health say the rabies virus can only be contracted through bites or scratches from an infected animal and that the risk of running into an infected animal in Ontario and catching the disease is low for humans.

The release says wild animals such as foxes, raccoons, skunks and bats can all spread rabies.

Peel Public Health is advisingresidents to take precautions, including:

• Avoid touching, approaching or feeding wild or unknown animals, even if they look healthy.
• Ensure pets and livestock are up to date with rabies vaccinations.
• If you find a bat in your home, call animal services at 311. Don't attempt to remove the bat yourself.
• Stay away from animals that are acting strangely, include those that are injured or sick.

Other Ontario regions report rabies cases in bats

Other Ontario regions have also reported cases of rabies in bats recently.

Hamilton Public Health Services said earlier this monthit had confirmed a rabies case in a bat and that a resident was being treated due to exposure to the infected animal.

Toronto Public Health said in July a person who dropped off a sick bat at a Beaches veterinary clinic was determinedto have no risk of potential rabies exposure.

"Based on the information provided, it was determined that the individual had no risk of potential rabies exposure, as they did not directly touch the bat, and were not exposed to the bat's saliva," TPH said in the release.

A bat in Burlington also tested positive for the disease in July, the first in that region this year.

Windsor and Essex County'smedical officer of health urged the public to be cautious around wild animals in July when it reported its first bat rabies case of 2024.

Peel Public Health urged anyone who has been bitten by or scratched by a wild animal tospeak to a healthcare provider as soon as possible.