An individual was reportedly bitten by a bat suffering from rabies, in Brantford, about 100 kilometers southwest of Toronto. The person has no symptoms of the disease, but receives prophylactic treatments.
Laboratory analyzes confirmed the diagnosis on the bat, which died.
This would be the first case of local human exposure to the virus this year, according to the Brant County Public Health Unit.
In early September, a resident of the region contracted rabies, but he was infected in the north of the province. According to Dr. Kieran Moore, the province’s chief medical health officer, this was the first locally acquired case of human rabies in Ontario since 1967.
How to protect yourself
The risk of infection and contact with an infected animal in Ontario remains low. The virus can only be transmitted through the saliva or mucus of an infected animal, through a bite or scratch.
Although the rabies virus is rare, it is serious for humans. If you have direct contact with an animal that may carry rabies, seek medical attention immediately, recommends the region’s medical officer of health, Dr. Rebecca Comley.
In Canada, wild animals such as bats, skunks, foxes and raccoons are most likely to transmit the disease.
Possible behaviors of infected animals:
- Excitement or lethargy;
- Attack on objects or other animals;
- Foaming in the mouth;
- Bite.
Brant County Public Health advises avoiding contact with unfamiliar animals, even if they appear healthy, ensuring livestock and pets are vaccinated against rabies, and contacting animal services if a bat enters your house.
After exposure to the virus, preventive treatments include:
- washing the affected area with soap and water;
- a dose of anti-rabies immunoglobulin;
- a series of rabies vaccines.
This treatment is almost 100% effective when administered promptly, Dr. Moore said.
Since rabies cases began to be recorded in the country in 1924, there have been 26 cases among humans (New window)according to Health Canada. That of Ontario reported at the beginning of September is added to these.
