1st positive case of bat rabies in 2 years confirmed in Hamilton

The City of Hamilton Public Health Services says it has confirmed the first positive case of a rabid bat in nearly two years.

While there has been no human contact with the bat, Health Services is reminding people to keep a safe distance from animals which could carry the fatal disease.

Rabies is most commonly spread by wild animals including raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, as well as stray or unknown cats and dogs, the city said in a press release.

The virus could be transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite. However, saliva could also enter the body through scratches, open wounds or through the mouth, nose and eyes, Hamilton Public Health Services said.

Once inside the body, the rabies virus attacks the nervous system and brain, leading to muscle spasms, aggressive behaviour and seizures. To date, only 20 cases of humans surviving infection have been recorded according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Raccoon rabies outbreak

Hamilton currently has an outbreak of rabies among the city'spopulation of raccoons and skunks with 327 animals testing positive since December 2015, Health Services said.

One fox and two stray cats have also tested positive, said the release.

Associate Medical Officer of Health at the City of Hamilton,Ninh Tran, said people needed to keep a safe distance from wild animals at all times.

"Particularly if they are cute, people tend to want to touch and pet them, but please don't," Tran said.

The city had seen a "significant rise" in the number of reported animal exposures from people interacting with baby raccoons, prompting a warning about the contagious, viral disease.

There have already been 54 cases of interactions between humans and wildlife by May, according to a media release from city staff.

Residents are advised to get their pets vaccinated against rabies and to keep them updated, Tran said.

If you are bitten or have direct contact with an animal's saliva, wash the wound with soap and water, then seek medical attention immediately, he said.