Ontario Reports First Human Rabies Case in Nearly Six Decades

Ontario health officials are in a state of urgency after confirming the province’s first human case of rabies in nearly 60 years.

The Brant County Health Unit, located west of Hamilton, announced on Friday that the case was linked to a suspected exposure from a bat, resulting in the individual being hospitalized.

“Our thoughts are with this individual and their family during this incredibly challenging time,” said Dr. Rebecca Comley, Medical Officer of Health for Brant County. “Although rare, rabies is a serious virus in humans. If you have direct contact with any animal known to carry rabies, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention.”

Rabies is a viral infection, primarily spread by animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. It affects the brain and spinal cord and is transmitted through contact with the saliva or mucus of an infected animal.

Despite its severity, human-to-human transmission of rabies has never been documented, according to the public health unit.

Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, emphasized that human cases of rabies remain “extremely rare” due to effective public health prevention and control efforts.

Since 1924, Canada has recorded only 26 human rabies cases. Four of those occurred after 2000, with the most recent case reported in British Columbia in 2019.

For individuals exposed to rabies, immediate medical intervention is critical, Moore explained.

“Post-exposure treatment involves thoroughly cleaning the affected area with soap and water, administering rabies immune globulin, and following up with a series of rabies vaccines. When provided promptly, this treatment is nearly 100% effective,” he said.

To protect the privacy of the individual involved, no further details of the case have been released by the authorities.