A bat in Chatham-Kent recently tested positive for rabies.
Chatham Kent Public Health made the announcement on Monday, warning members of the public to keep themselves and their pets away from aggressive or stray animals.
The disease is nearly 100 per cent fatal when symptoms present in both animals and humans. This includes a fever, headache, discomfort or itching around the bite area, and in some cases a fear of water.
“That’s why prompt reporting of any bite or scratch and timely post-exposure treatment is extremely important," said Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, Acting Medical Officer of Health for Chatham Kent.
Bats are one of the more common animals to get rabies. In 2024, there were 91 confirmed cases of rabies in Ontario with all but one being found in bats. The only other positive case came from a human in the County of Brant.
The last positive case in Chatham-Kent came from a big brown bat in 2020.
CK Public Health is encouraging the public to get their pets vaccinated against rabies, to contact their veterinarian immediately if they believe their pet was exposed to a rabid animal, and to report any stray and aggressive animals to animal control services.
“By vaccinating pets, avoiding wildlife contact and reporting animal exposure incidents to CK Public Health, we can all play a part in keeping our community safe," added Nesathurai.
People looking for more information on rabies can visit CK Public Health's website.
