Northern Ontario bat suspected cause of rare human rabies case

TIMISKAMING - Ontario's first human case of rabies since the 1960s is believed to have been contracted in northern Ontario. 

Today, the Brant County Health Unit reported a Brantford-Brant resident is in hospital after contracting rabies. It's believed they were exposed to the virus by a bat in the Gowganda area, which is in the Timiskaming region of northeastern Ontario.

"To ensure privacy for the family, no further information about the individual will be released," said a statement released by Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore.

"As a precaution, family members, health care providers and other close contacts are being assessed and offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), as needed."

Human cases of rabies are extremely rare. Since 1924, there have been 26 human cases of rabies in Canada and the last reported case in Ontario was in 1967.

Rabies is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Typically, the province says it's spread to humans by direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal.

"In Canada, rabies infections are commonly found in bats, but skunk, fox, and raccoon rabies variants are also circulating in Ontario," said Moore.

"If anyone in Ontario has direct physical contact with a bat, even if there is no visible bite or scratch, or if they have been bitten or exposed to saliva or infectious tissues from another animal species, they should seek immediate medical attention. The health care provider, in consultation with the local public health unit, will assess the risk of rabies and may offer vaccines to prevent infection."

The Timiskaming Health Unit also commented on the case in a news release today. 

"It should be noted that the Timiskaming District has historically been a low risk area for rabies, and this incident is considered very rare. There has never been a human case of rabies confirmed in aTimiskaming District resident," reads the statement.

No one in the Timiskaming area is being asked to take immediate action in relation to this specific case. The health unit says if investigation identifies a reason for that to change, people will be contacted directly.

The health unit also shared precautions to reduce the risk of being exposed to the virus.  Those are:

• Keep your pets and livestock rabies vaccinations up to date. It’s the law.
• Stay away from and do not touch unfamiliar animals.
• Keep pets away from wildlife.
• Supervise children when they are around animals.
• Do not let pets roam free.
• Feed pets indoors. Feeding pets outdoors can attract other unwanted animals.
• If you have direct contact with a bat, or if any animal known to carry rabies bites or scratches you, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Seek medical attention right away to review your risk and treatment options.