One person is receiving medical treatment after being bitten by a rabid bat in Norwich.
Southwestern Public Health, the health unit for Oxford and Elgin counties, confirmed on Monday that a bat in the small town has tested positive for the viral disease.
The bat was sent for testing after biting an individual. That person is currently receiving post-exposure prophylaxis to help prevent them from contacting rabies.
Rabies is spread through the saliva of an infected animal. Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal. That is why health officials advise anyone who has been bitten or scratched by an animal to seek medical assistance immediately. Initial symptoms of rabies are similar to the flu. Later symptoms include vomiting, agitation, hyperactivity, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, a fear of water and difficulty swallowing.
The positive test result in Norwich should serve as a reminder that the disease is present in the region, the health unit said.
"If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal, the first step is to wash the wound right away with soap and water. The second step is to seek medical attention," said Amy Pavletic, the health unit's program manager for environmental health. "The third step is to report all animal bites to your local public health unit so that we can investigate and assess the risk of rabies transmission."
In order to protect against rabies, the health unit also recommends the following:
Vaccinate your pet against rabies and make sure vaccinations are up-to-date.
Keep pets indoors at night.
Teach children to stay away from wild animals and strange dogs and cats.
Always ask permission before trying to pet an animal.
Do not attempt to touch or feed wild animals.
Do not touch sick animals.
Do not approach animals behaving oddly or aggressively.
Never handle a bat directly.
