Rabies case prompts warning for Mississauga residents

Mississauga residents are urged to be cautious after Peel Public Health confirmed a case of rabies in a bat, near Derry Road and McLaughlin Road in Mississauga. While no humans in Peel have been infected, rabies is a serious, potentially fatal disease, and awareness is the best protection.

What is rabies?

Rabies is an infectious virus that attacks the nervous system. It spreads through bites or scratches from infected animals. Once symptoms appear in humans or their pets, it is almost always fatal.

Once in the body, the virus travels through the nervous system to the brain and other tissues. Early symptoms can include:

• Anxiety, fever, headache, irritability
• Sore throat and tiredness
• Pain, tingling, numbness, or itching at the bite site

As the virus progresses, more severe symptoms may develop:

• Confusion, excitement, or hallucinations
• Trouble swallowing or inability to drink water
• Excess saliva production
• Partial paralysis or stumbling
• Difficulty sleeping

Symptoms typically appear three to eight weeks after exposure but can develop sooner. Once they begin, rabies can cause death within weeks.

Recognizing rabies in animals

Only professionals can diagnose rabies, but warning signs in wildlife may include:

• Unusual aggression or friendliness
• Excess drooling or trouble swallowing
• Stumbling or paralysis
• Nocturnal animals active during the day

If you see a wild animal acting strangely in Mississauga, contact Mississauga Animal Services at 905-896-5858.

How to protect yourself and your pets

• Never approach, feed, or touch wild animals, even if they seem friendly.
• Keep pets up to date on rabies vaccinations.
• Secure garbage bins and remove outdoor pet food.
• Keep pets on a leash and supervise them, even on your property.
• Teach children not to touch or feed wildlife.
• If bitten or scratched, wash the wound with soap and water, apply antiseptic, and seek medical attention immediately.

Report all possible rabies exposures to Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700.

Treatment and prevention

The rabies vaccine is highly effective if given immediately after exposure and before symptoms develop. Once symptoms begin, rabies is almost always fatal.

Rabies in Peel Region

Rabies is rare in Mississauga but not unheard of. The latest case marks the 13^th confirmed rabies-positive bat in Peel since 2019.

Cases from 2019–2024:

• 2024 – 2 bats
• 2023 – 2 bats
• 2022 – 2 bats
• 2021 – 0
• 2020 – 2 bats
• 2019 – 4 bats

Bats are the most common rabies carriers locally, though raccoons, skunks, and foxes can also be infected. Most bats are healthy and help control insect populations, but avoiding direct contact is essential. If you come across a bat in your home and are worried it may have come into contact with anyone, contact Animal Services as a safety measure.

Additional safety information

Mississauga participates in Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources rabies bait program. Small yellow vaccine bait packs are placed in parks, trails, and forests to help immunize wildlife. They are not harmful to humans or pets but should not be handled.

Rabies exists throughout Ontario. If you are camping or travelling to rural or cottage areas, stay alert and check the Ontario government’s rabies map for up-to-date case locations.

Stay informed, stay safe, and protect both yourself and your pets.

Tags

• Animal Services
• Public Safety
• Wildlife and Pets