PREPARED BY: Environmental Health

DATE: 2026-09-24

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The virus is most commonly transmitted through the saliva of an infected mammal, typically through a bite or scratch. After entering the body, the virus travels slowly along the nervous system to the brain, where it causes severe inflammation. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. In Canada, bats, foxes, skunks, and raccoons are the wildlife species most commonly associated with rabies transmission.

Rabies is a reportable disease in Ontario which is investigated in accordance with the Health Protection and Promotion Act, the Management of Potential Rabies Exposures Guideline, and the Rabies Prevention and Control Protocol. All suspected animal exposures must be reported to the local public health unit, which is required to initiate an investigation within 24 hours of notification.

Public health investigations include an assessment of the exposure, the species and behaviour of the animal involved, the need for animal confinement or observation, and access to rabies exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for individuals at risk. PEP is highly effective in preventing rabies when administered promptly following a potential exposure. Decisions regarding PEP are made on a case-by-case basis through a risk assessment conducted by public health in consultation with health care providers. In Ontario, rabies vaccine and rabies immune globulin are publicly funded when PEP is recommended as part of this assessment process.

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has observed notable changes in animal exposure investigations during January to July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. This report summarizes trends in animal exposure investigations, rabies PEP administration, and related public health response activities.

DISCUSSION

From January to July 2026, the WECHU observed a substantial increase in wildlife-related animal exposure investigations compared with the same period in 2025, driven primarily by exposures involving bats and raccoons. This increase was accompanied by a corresponding rise in rabies PEP administration. Despite this trend, dogs and cats continued to account for the majority of reported animal exposure investigations, consistent with findings from 2025.

Bat-related exposures increased from 28 investigations in 2025 to 46 in 2026, while raccoon-related exposures increased from 7 to 24. PEP administration associated with bat exposures increased from 7 to 24 courses, and PEP associated with raccoon exposures increased from 5 to 20 courses (Table 1). These findings indicate that the increase in investigations among wildlife species associated with a higher risk of rabies transmission, resulted in a greater demand for preventive public health interventions.

Bat-related investigations may have increased due to seasonal bat activity, more frequent indoor encounters during warmer months, and greater public awareness of the need to report direct contact with bats. As bats are a known high-risk species for rabies transmission in Ontario, and no rabies control measures are available for bat populations, public health follow-up remains an important component of rabies prevention.

The increase in raccoon-related exposure investigations was influenced, in part, by a localized cluster of incidents at Ojibway Nature Centre. Between May to July 2026, the WECHU received reports of 12 raccoon exposure incidents at the site, including a cluster of six potential exposures reported within a single week. Based on public health risk assessments conducted in consultation with health care providers, rabies PEP was recommended and administered to 10 individuals. The WECHU collaborated with municipal partners to increase signage throughout the park, conducted media interviews, and delivered risk communication messages through social media. Communications emphasized maintaining a safe distance from wildlife and avoiding direct contact, including feeding or handling animals. The cluster may reflect increasing habituation of raccoons to human environments, a phenomenon that can occur when wild animals lose their natural fear of humans and urban environments. 

The WECHU will continue to monitor animal exposure trends, collaborate with community partners to support timely reporting, and promote rabies prevention through public awareness initiatives, including activities recognizing Rabies Awareness Month in May and World Rabies Day on September 28, 2026.