2023-11-30 16:30:55
The Halton Area Health Department said a bat found at LaSalle Park in Burlington has tested positive for rabies, and any local residents or pets that have had direct contact with the bat or any other suspicious wildlife in the area should seek immediate medical attention.
A bat with rabies was found in a park in Burlington. Provided by Unsplash
Rabies is a viral disease that causes severe damage to the brain and spinal cord and can lead to death if not treated before symptoms appear. This virus is mainly transmitted when bitten or scratched through the saliva of other infected wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, bats, dogs, cats, foxes, and other infected wild animals. Cases of transmission to humans are extremely rare, but it can be prevented with the rabies vaccine.
It is not common for bats to contract rabies, but in most cases, humans are infected by being bitten by a rabid bat. A bat’s teeth are small like needles, making it difficult to detect a bite. If you suspect you have been exposed to bat saliva or have been bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, bats with rabies may lose the ability to fly and move slowly, or may be active during the day and may not respond to loud sounds, so caution is required.
To protect your family and pets from rabies, you should avoid contact with wild animals and get your pets vaccinated. If you are bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies, you must seek medical attention at a hospital.
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