Update: Toronto Public Health clears individual who had contact with rabid bat that was dropped off at Queen Street East vet

On Saturday, July 20 in the late evening, Toronto Public Health (TPH) made contact with the person who dropped off an injured bat at the VCA Kew Beach Animal Hospital.

In an email to Beach Metro Community News, TPH media relations supervisor Michele Simpson stated that after a thorough interview and rabies risk assessment, TPH determined the individual was not at risk of rabies exposure as they did not touch the bat or come into contact with its saliva.

TPH continues to encourage all residents to take steps to reduce rabies risk:

• If you come across a wild animal that appears to be sick or injured, please don’t touch it and report it to 311.
• Keep your pet’s rabies vaccinations up to date.
• Supervise your dog and only allow it off-leash in designated parks.
• Avoid contact with wild animals, even if they seem tame.
• Prevent pets from roaming unsupervised and keep them away from wild animals.

More information is available on the City’s Rabies Prevention and Control webpage.