Bat tests positive for rabies in Aylmer
A bat located in Aylmer, Ontario, has tested positive for rabies. An individual who was exposed to the bat is receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis which will prevent them from contracting the virus.
Rabies is a viral disease that is spread through the saliva of animals. It affects an animal’s brain and eventually leads to death. Humans exposed to the virus – usually through a bite or scratch from an infected animal - require treatment to avoid death.
A positive rabies test result serves as a reminder to all community members that rabies is present in our region, and everyone should know what to do if bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal.
“If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal, the first step is to wash the wound right away with soap and water. The second step is to seek medical attention. The third step is to report all animal bites to your local public health unit so that we can investigate and assess the risk of rabies transmission,” says Kitty Chan, Program Manager, Infectious Diseases.
Public health coordinates treatment with post-exposure prophylaxis for everyone bitten by or exposed to a rabid animal.
Know how to prevent rabies for you and your loved ones:
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Always watch wildlife from a distance
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Avoid touching, petting, or handling unknown animals (including dogs and cats)
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Teach children to stay away from wild animals and strange dogs or cats, and to tell an adult when they have been bitten or scratched by an unknown animal.
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Vaccinate your pets against the rabies virus
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Keep pets indoors at night
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Do not attempt to feed wildlife
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Do not touch or approach sick animals, or animals acting strangely or aggressively
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Be familiar with signs of rabies in your pets and wild animals
Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected mammals. Observing a bat does not cause rabies; if you see a bat in your home, avoid handling it and call a local wildlife rescue for support.
Learn more about rabies on our website.
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