Rabid Fox in Chute-à-Blondeau Tests Positive for Bat Variant of Rabies

In a concerning incident in Chute-à-Blondeau, Ontario, a rabid fox was euthanized after testing positive for a variant of rabies typically associated with bats, rather than the strain commonly found in foxes. This case was reported by local resident Janet Cote, who, along with her husband Alan, had observed a fox family near their property for several years. The couple had been monitoring the foxes closely, especially after noticing that one of the kits appeared sickly and less active on May 1, 2025.

When the Cotes found the ailing kit lying on the lawn on May 11, they took immediate action. Alan Cote, wearing gardening gloves, moved the fox to a cardboard box and contacted Holly’s Haven, an animal rescue center in Dunrobin, to arrange for its care. Unfortunately, the fox's condition deteriorated, and it was euthanized the following day after exhibiting seizures. Subsequent tests confirmed the presence of rabies on June 13, with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) notifying the Cotes of the findings.

Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, EOHU Medical Officer of Health, stated that preliminary testing did not specify the rabies variant but indicated a likely transmission from a bat. "It is possible that a bat bit the fox or that the fox scavenged on an infected bat carcass," he explained. According to Dr. Roumeliotis, this type of rabies does not alter the protocols for potential human exposure treatment. Janet Cote reported that her husband, having had minimal contact with the fox, received post-exposure rabies treatment as a precaution, and has since shown no symptoms.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), represented by spokesman Mike Fenn, noted that the transmission of bat rabies to non-bat mammals, including foxes, is rare but not unprecedented. The MNR monitors such cases and typically detects one or two instances each year. Fenn highlighted that the last recorded case of bat variant rabies in a mammal in Eastern Ontario was in a skunk in 2018. He reassured the public, asserting that this incident does not signify an increased risk to human or wildlife health. Public education and the vaccination of pets remain the best strategies for mitigating the risk of rabies transmission.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of rabies vaccinations for pets and the need for public awareness regarding wildlife interactions. The EOHU encourages anyone who encounters wildlife exhibiting unusual behavior or appears sick to contact local health authorities immediately. Further information on rabies can be found at Ontario.ca/Rabies. As the community grapples with this unusual rabies variant, the incident underscores the complexities of wildlife health and the potential implications for human safety in rural areas.