Rabies cases prompt resident warnings

Rabies is a serious disease that can turn a simple animal bite or scratch into a life-threatening situation. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.

Mississauga residents should be cautious after Peel Public Health reported two cases of rabies in bats. While no humans have been affected yet in Peel, rabies is a serious health risk, so it’s important to be informed and stay safe.

Rabies in humans

Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system and can spread from infected animals to people. It usually spreads through bites or scratches from infected animals. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, so it’s crucial to prevent it and seek treatment right away.

Once in the body, the virus travels through the nervous system to the spinal cord and brain, replicating itself, and then travelling to other areas of the body.

Rabies symptoms can include anxiety, cough, fever, headaches, irritability, sore throat, and tiredness. Someone who has been exposed to rabies without treatment might also experience pain, tingling, numbness or itching around the wound.

As the virus replicates and spreads, more symptoms appear, including:

• Confusion
• Excitement
• Hallucinations
• Inability to drink water
• Increased saliva production
• Partial paralysis
• Trouble sleeping
• Trouble swallowing

Symptoms can take between three to eight weeks to appear after exposure. While the virus is preventable it can be fatal. Symptoms can progress quickly once the virus starts attacking the central nervous system and can be fatal within weeks of symptoms developing.

Signs of rabies in animals

Recognizing rabies in an animal involves looking for specific signs and behaviour, that only a professional can diagnose. It is always good practice to keep a safe distance from wildlife, especially when they are showing sign of rabies, which include:

• Unusual aggression or friendliness
• Trouble swallowing or excessive drooling
• Stumbling or paralysis
• Nocturnal animals (like raccoons and bats) being active during the day

Pet owners can never be too careful and should keep an eye out for signs. The incubation period for rabies in dogs and cats for example is generally 10 days.

If you see an animal displaying these types of symptoms in Mississauga, contact Mississauga Animal Services at 905-896-5858.

Protecting yourself from rabies

Rabies is not prevalent in Mississauga but there have been some cases reported. The latest occurrences in Peel are the 9^th and 10th known positive cases over five years. So far, all have involved bats, which are common carriers of the rabies virus. It’s worth noting that most bats are healthy and play a crucial role in our ecosystem by providing an incredible level of pest/insect control. Other carriers include raccoons, skunks and foxes.

Between 2019 and 2023 Peel Public Health has verified 10 rabies cases:
2023 – 2 bats
2022 – 2 bats
2021 – 0
2020 – 2 bats
2019 – 4 bats

Here are a few reminders on how to stay safe:

1. Don’t approach, touch or feed wild animals, especially if they seem sick or aggressive.
2. Make sure your pets are up-to-date on their rabies shots.
3. Keep trash bins closed and don’t leave pet food outside to avoid attracting wild animals.
4. Do not let your pets roam freely outdoor – keep them on a leash to avoid contact with wild animals.
5. Watch your pets closely even on your own property to lower the risk of your pet being exposed to a potential carrier.
6. Tell children not to approach, feed or touch wild animals, even if they seem friendly.
7. If you or your pet is bitten or scratched by a wild animal, get medical help right away and report it to Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700. A Public Health Inspector will investigate the incident.
8. Do not keep wild animals as pets.

Exposure to rabies

While the risk of humans and pets contracting rabies is low, the disease can be fatal if left untreated. If you’ve been exposed to the virus, immediately wash the wound with soap and water and apply antiseptic. Seek medical attention from a healthcare provider or local hospital as a rabies vaccine may need to be administered.
Call the Region of Peel (Peel Public Health) to report the incident.

Rabies treatment is most effective when exposure first happens. The rabies vaccine must be administered before any symptoms appear. If it is given soon after a bite or scratch occurs, and before any rabies symptoms appear, it can prevent rabies from developing. Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal.

What to do if you suspect rabies

While some wildlife might look cute, they can have rabies. Residents are reminded to protect themselves and their pets from exposure and contact with all wild animals.
If you see a wild animal that is sick, injured or in distress, contact Mississauga Animal Services at 905-896-5858.

The City is also part of the Government of Ontario – Ministry of Natural Resources rabies bait program. If you see a small yellow pill packet in parks, trails or forests throughout the city, don’t be concerned. These are bait packs that contain a rabies vaccine. They’re not harmful to pets or humans but shouldn’t be touched as they are meant for wildlife to eat.

Rabies can be found throughout Ontario so it is important to be aware if you are camping or travelling to a cottage. Information about animals that have tested positive for rabies in Ontario, including maps, can be found on the provincial government website.

Learn more about rabies and stay safe.

Tags

• Public Safety
• Wildlife and Pets