Grand Erie Public Health has confirmed that a bat recently found in Brantford-Brant has tested positive for rabies. The individual exposed to the bat is receiving post-exposure prophylaxis, which includes rabies immune globulin and a series of rabies vaccinations.
While public health officials stress that the overall risk of encountering a rabid animal in Ontario remains low, they are urging residents to remain vigilant. Rabies is spread through bites or scratches from infected animals, most commonly bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.
Grand Erie Public Health is reminding the community to take the following precautions:
• Avoid touching or approaching wild or unknown animals, even if they appear healthy.
• Keep pets and livestock vaccinations up to date.
• Never attempt to remove a bat from your home yourself—call animal services at 311.
• Stay away from animals that appear injured, sick, or are behaving unusually.
Rabies infection is preventable if treatment is started before symptoms develop. Once clinical signs appear, the disease is almost always fatal.
Symptoms in infected animals may include unusual aggression, lethargy, drooling or frothing at the mouth, and unprovoked biting. Even small bites or scratches can transmit the virus.
Anyone who is bitten or scratched by an animal should:
• Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
• Seek immediate medical attention.
• Report the incident to Grand Erie Public Health at 519-753-4937 ext. 470.
Grand Erie Public Health was established in January 2025 through the merger of the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and the Brant County Health Unit.
The agency continues to monitor all reports of animal bites and scratches across Brantford-Brant and surrounding areas.
More information is available at bchu.org/rabies and hnhu.org/rabies.
