A bat that bit an Oxford County resident has tested positive for rabies.
Oxford County Public Health says the bat, which appeared injured, was found by the resident last Tuesday. The person was bitten as they tried to remove the bat from the property. The resident is now undergoing rabies preventative treatment.
This is Oxford County's first case of animal rabies in over five years.
Public health officials are reminding residents to always supervise pets outdoors, vaccinate pets against rabies, and avoid contact with wildlife. They say anyone who is bitten by any animal should seek medical attention.
Human cases of rabies are rare in Ontario but infections can be fatal. Rabies is spread through the saliva of infected animals from bites, licks, or scratches. It can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
To help combat the spread of the infectious and contagious disease, Oxford County Public Health and local veterinarians will be hosting low-cost rabies vaccination clinics across Oxford on September 24. For a list of clinic locations and times click here.
So far this year, there have been 162 confirmed cases of rabies in raccoons and skunks in Hamilton and Brant County. Elgin St. Thomas Public Health announced the discovery of two rabid bats over the past two months, while two rabid foxes were found in Perth County.
