Brantford, 11.08.2025

Grand Erie Public Health has reported the second confirmed case of rabies in Brant County this year after another bat tested positive for the deadly virus. Officials have not revealed where the infected bat was found, but they confirm there was no known human contact in this most recent case.

The year’s first rabies-positive bat in Brant County was identified in June. In that situation, one individual had direct contact with the animal and required a complete post-exposure rabies treatment, including a series of vaccines.

Don’t Handle Bats, Leave It to the Experts

Bats are among the main carriers of rabies in Ontario. If you suspect bats are roosting in your attic or elsewhere on your property, it’s essential to avoid direct contact and hire trained professionals who can remove them safely and humanely.
For expert bat removal services in Brantford, reach out to Ontario Wildlife Removal. Their team uses humane eviction techniques, seals off entry points, and ensures bats cannot return, helping protect your household from rabies exposure.

Why Rabies Is a Serious Concern

Rabies is a viral infection that attacks the nervous system and spreads through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, such as bats, foxes, raccoons, or skunks. Early signs may include fever, fatigue, headaches, anxiety, or tingling near the injury site. Without treatment, the illness can progress rapidly, causing confusion, seizures, hallucinations, and sometimes an intense fear of water or fresh air. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal within 7–14 days.

Brant County has seen the devastating effects of rabies firsthand. In 2024, a local child died after contact with a rabid bat, Ontario’s first domestic human rabies case since 1967.

Public Health Safety Tips

Grand Erie Public Health advises residents to take the following steps to reduce the risk of rabies:

• Never touch or feed wild animals, even if they seem healthy.

• Keep pets and livestock current on rabies vaccinations.

• If a bat is found in your home, do not attempt to catch or move it.

• Contact animal services at 311 or call a licensed wildlife removal company for help.

• If bitten or scratched by a wild animal, immediately wash the wound with soap and water, seek urgent medical attention, and notify public health.

With two confirmed rabies cases in Brant County in 2025, the message is clear: avoid direct wildlife contact, keep vaccinations up to date, and rely on professionals for safe and humane bat removal.