Bat in Pembroke, Ont. tests positive for rabies, health unit says

The Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) says a bat that was found in Pembroke, Ont. has tested positive for rabies.

The health unit said in a news release Friday that the bat was submitted as part of an investigation into possible human exposure and staff from the RCDHU have followed up with those involved to prevent rabies infection.

“Local human-bat exposures have been increasing in recent weeks and RCDHU is advising Renfrew County and District residents to remain vigilant about the risk of rabies. This animal rabies case is the first in Renfrew County and District this year,” the health unit said.

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According to the RCDHU 33 bats have been submitted for rabies testing since 2021 and of these 33, four (12 per cent) have tested positive for rabies.

“Rabies is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, which is almost always fatal. Rabies is transmitted to humans through direct contact with saliva from an infected animal, usually through a bite, but saliva contamination of cuts, scratches, or mucous membrane is also possible. The animals that most commonly have rabies in Ontario are bats, skunks, and raccoons. Human rabies cases in Canada are very rare,” the health unit says.

The Renfrew County and District Health Unit says residents can protect themselves against rabies with several tips:

• Vaccinate your pets against rabies; it is the law in Ontario that all cats, dogs, and ferrets over 3 months of age are vaccinated against rabies.
• Stay away from wild animals and always refrain from feeding, touching, or handling wildlife.
• Do not trap and transport wild animals to a new location.
• Warn children to stay away from wild or stray animals.
• Keep pets away from wild animals and do not let pets roam unsupervised.

You can bat-proof your home or cottage by caulking holes in the exterior, even those as small as one-quarter to one-half inch in diameter; tightening screens, capping your chimney, placing draft guards under doors leading to the attic and outside, and filling plumbing fixture holes with steel wool or caulk; and keeping doors tightly closed when going outside and coming back indoors.

If a bat gets into your home, it’s recommended you confine the bat to one room, open a window and turn off the lights so that it can fly out on its own. If it doesn’t leave, contact pest control experts who can humanely trap and release the animal.

“If the bat is found in a bedroom, there has been any direct contact with a child, or you cannot rule out exposure to the bat’s saliva, call a healthcare provider or RCDHU at 613-732-3629 ext. 505 for advice immediately,” the health unit says. “Bats have tiny teeth and a bite mark from a bat can be difficult to find.”

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If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal, the health unit recommends you collect the contact information of the animal’s owner/custodian where applicable (their name, address and phone number), immediately thoroughly wash all bite or scratch wounds with soap and water, seek immediate medical attention to assess the need for post exposure treatment, and report the incident to the RCDHU at 613-732-3629 ext. 505

The RCDHU says rabies vaccines are highly effective at preventing the disease if administered soon after an exposure.