Person who 'physically handled' bat that may have rabies located: Toronto Public Health

Toronto Public Health (TPH) has located the person who "physically handled" an injured bat that has symptoms of rabies, the agency said on a social media post Monday. 

The person came into contact with the bat at the north entrance of 88-100 Harbour Street on Wednesday around 9:20 a.m., the public health agency said in a news release Friday. 

In an update on Monday, TPH said it has heard from the person and has followed up with them as per its standard protocols. 

Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans, Friday's release said. It can lead to death if it is left untreated before symptoms appear. 

The virus is spread through the saliva of an infected animal, typically entering through a bite or more rarely through a scratch. 

"The overall risk of being exposed to rabies in the city is very low, unless direct contact is made with an infected animal's saliva," the news release said. 

WATCH | Last year, Ontario confirmed 1st human case of rabies in decades: 

1st human case of rabies in Ontario since 1967 confirmed

11 months ago

Duration 6:28

Human cases of rabies in Canada are very rare — just 26 recorded cases since 1924 — but there was one in northern Ontario last week, traced to direct contact with an infected bat. Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch says untreated rabies is nearly always fatal, so any possible exposure to a rabid animal is reason to seek medical attention.

While the overall risk is low, treatment "should be received as soon as possible," warned Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist based out of the Toronto General Hospital.

"The reason it's so important is because rabies infections are universally fatal," Bogoch told CBC Toronto on Monday.

"The virus basically gets into the peripheral nerves through a bite or a scratch and it will travel to the central nervous system, ascend and cause a fatal inflammation of the brain."

But people are advised to take preventative measures to reduce their risk of exposure to the virus, such as by staying away from all wild animals, even if they appear tame, injured or sick. 

Pet-owners should ensure their pets' rabies vaccinations are up-to-date. They are also encouraged to keep their pets away from wild animals and avoid letting pets roam unsupervised, the news release said.