Bat tests positive for rabies after biting Norwich Township resident
A bat in Norwich Township has tested positive for rabies. It was sent for testing after biting a person in the area.
Only 5 per cent of Ontario bats submitted for testing have rabies. That sounds like a low number, but one of them recently found its way into the home of a Norwich County resident.
Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) said it's a reminder that this could happen at any time.
“If people are exposed to rabies and do become infected and aren’t treated, then the prognosis is death,” said Amy Pavletic of SWPH.
Pavletic added that although the patient wasn't completely sure they were bitten because bats' teeth are so small, any sort of contact is considered "exposure to the virus,” and to be safe, the bat was sent for testing and a rabies vaccine was administered immediately.
“Post-exposure prophylaxis - so it's after the exposure has occurred. So there's immune globuline which is part of this series that really gets your immune system to fight against the rabies virus and then a follow up of vaccination series," Pavletic told CTV News.
So how do you protect yourself?
If in contact with any wild or domestic animal, wash your hands or the wound right away with soap and water, seek medical attention immediately, and report it to your local public health unit.
Also, make sure your pets’ rabies vaccine is up to date.
“Whenever there is any type of animal exposure - so bite, scratch - even if it's from an animal that you know and you I know has their vaccines up to date - public health gets involved just to assess the health of that animal just to make sure that there is no possibility that rabies is transmitted,” she explained.
Pavletic added that you should not feed or touch wild animals, or let children near them. But if one does get in your house, like a bat, do your best to avoid contact and call wildlife removal services.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper mayor finds home destroyed by wildfire on tour of townsite
On a tour of the wreckage at the Jasper townsite, Mayor Richard Ireland stopped at one house, the charred remains of which had collapsed into the basement. It was his home.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump's near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president's ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former president's injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Powerful cartel leader 'El Mayo' Zambada was lured onto airplane before arrest in U.S., AP source says
A powerful Mexican drug cartel leader who eluded authorities for decades was duped into flying into the U.S., where he was arrested alongside a son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, according to a U.S. law enforcement official familiar with the matter.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.