Bat from Lambton tests positive for Rabies

Point Edward, ON – Lambton Public Health (LPH) advises the public to remain vigilant about the risk of rabies after a bat from Lambton tested positive for the viral disease.

The bat was tested earlier this week, as part of an investigation into potential domestic animal exposure.

LPH is continuing to follow up with those involved to prevent rabies infection.

“While the risk of acquiring rabies locally remains very low, this case highlights the importance of avoiding contact with wildlife and taking other steps to prevent animal bites and scratches,” says Dr. Karalyn Dueck, Medical Officer of Health.

Rabies is usually transmitted to humans through direct contact with saliva from an infected animal, such as through a bite or, less commonly, a scratch. Bats, skunks, foxes, and raccoons are the most common animals to have rabies in Ontario.

Once symptoms appear, the rabies virus is virtually 100% fatal in people and animals. However, rabies vaccines are highly effective at preventing the disease if administered before symptoms occur.

Public health advises people to do the following to protect against rabies:

• Stay away from wild animals and always refrain from touching, petting, or handling wildlife or keeping wild animals as pets.
• Avoid feeding wild animals.
• Keep pets away from wild animals and do not let pets roam unsupervised.
• Wildlife-proof homes and yards.
• Do not disturb baby animals.
• Warn children to stay away from wild or stray animals.
• Do not trap and transport wild animals to a new location.
• Have your pets vaccinated for rabies; it is the law in Ontario that all cats, dogs, and ferrets over 3 months of age are vaccinated for rabies
• 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.
  • Keeping doors tightly closed when going outside and coming back indoors.

LPH also advises people to take steps to prevent bites from unfamiliar dogs.

More information about rabies is available at LambtonPublicHealth.ca or by calling us at 519-383-8331 or toll-free at 1-800-667-1839.

To report a suspected rabid animal call the Wildlife Health Information Line at 1-888-574-6656 or visit the Ontario government’s Rabies Webpage.

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LPH Media Inquiries