RABIES: Case confirmed in bats prompts animal safety reminder in Mississauga and Brampton

Confirmed cases of rabies found in bats have health officials urging residents not to touch wild animals in Mississauga and Brampton.

Peel Public Health said on Thursday that two cases of the potentially fatal disease have been confirmed — one near  Professor’s Lake in Brampton, the other in south Mississauga.

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals, including humans, the region says.

And while the risk of running into an infected animal and contracting rabies in Ontario is low, contracting the disease is “almost always fatal” for humans, PPH says.

The virus is spread through the saliva and mucus membranes of infected animals like foxes, raccoons, skunks and bats. Humans and their pets can become infected if they come in contact with a rabid animal.

Here are some tips from Peel Public Health to help avoid rabies exposure:

• Avoid touching, approaching or feeding wild or unknown animals, even if they look healthy.
• Ensure pets and livestock are up to date with their 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, are injured or are sick.
• Contact Animal Services by calling 311 if you see a sick or wounded animal. Do not touch or handle the animal.

“If you have been bitten by or scratched by a wild animal, speak to a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Rabies is preventable through prompt medical care,” Peel Public Health says.

Editor’s note: an earlier version of this story stated both bats were found in Brampton.