Toronto Public Health seeking person who 'physically handled' bat that may have rabies
Toronto Public Health (TPH) is looking for a person who "physically handled" an injured bat earlier this week that has symptoms of rabies.
The unidentified 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.
TPH said the person is approximately five-feet-eight-inches tall with a beard. They were wearing a black t-shirt, black pants, white sneakers and glasses, and were holding a black water bottle.
The public health agency is asking this person or someone who knows a person who fits this description to immediately contact them or 311.
Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans, the 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.
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.
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