Toronto Public Health Urgently Seeks Man Who Handled Bat Suspected of Rabies Infection
Incident at Harbour Street entrance prompts call for individual to come forward and seek treatment
TORONTO – Toronto Public Health (TPH) is urgently seeking to identify an individual who may have been exposed to rabies after handling an injured bat in downtown Toronto earlier this week.
On Wednesday, June 25, at approximately 9:24 a.m., a man physically handled a bat showing symptoms of rabies near the north entrance to 88-100 Harbour Street. The unidentified person is described as approximately 5’8” tall with a beard, wearing eyeglasses, a black t-shirt, black pants, and white sneakers, and carrying a black water bottle.
Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans, and is almost always fatal if left untreated before symptoms appear. The virus is spread through the saliva of an infected animal, most often through bites.
TPH is urging the individual, or anyone who knows them, to contact public health officials immediately to assess the risk and begin preventive treatment. During regular business hours, call 416-338-7600; after hours, call 311 (or 416-392-2489 if outside Toronto) and ask to speak with the Healthy Environments manager on call.
While the risk of rabies exposure in Toronto is low, TPH reminds residents to keep pets’ vaccinations up to date, avoid contact with wild animals, supervise pets outdoors, and never leave children or pets unattended around unfamiliar animals.
More information is available at www.toronto.ca/rabies-prevention-and-control.
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