Residents Warned After Rabid Bat Found In Newmarket

But that terrible headline is true, after officials found one of the animals suffering from the terrible disease in a child’s bedroom in the city.

“The homeowner awoke and found the bat in the bedroom of her daughter, and so she called a health inspector,” outlines Horace Davidson of the York Region Health Unit.

Rabies is a dangerous and potentially fatal ailment that’s caused by the bite of an infected creature.

There is a vaccine for it, but the shots are not pleasant and it’s essential they be given immediately. By the time symptoms appear, it’s fatal.

“If a human actually was to develop the rabies virus, it isn’t treatable and it is pretty much 100 percent fatal in humans,” warns Nathalie Karvonen of the Toronto Wildlife Centre.

Newmarket authorities are asking residents to keep away from bats, something most of us don’t need much advice to do.

But if a nest of the night flyers live near your property, you may not have the choice. The city won’t remove them for you and you’ll have to call a professional company to get rid of them.

Officials are concerned because, while most bat bites are apparent, it’s possible a sleeping person, a child, a very small infant or someone with a visual impairment could wind up suffering such a wound and not be aware of it.

“When somebody’s bit by a bat, there’s no visible mark left on the body,” Davidson agrees. “Especially if you’re asleep and you awoke and you find a bat in the bedroom, do not hesitate to seek medical advice right away.”

If you find a live bat in your home, leave the room, close the door, and contact a Wildlife Removal Company and local health authorities. Never touch a bat with your bare hands and don’t try to get it to fly out of your home.

If you suspect that your pets or livestock have come into contact with a rabid animal, contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at (905) 883-1600.

The health authority in Newmarket can be reached toll free at 1-800-361-5653.

How can you tell if a bat has rabies?

You can’t. Only a lab analysis can show it for sure. But there are some clues. Be suspicious if:

• You see one in daylight. Bats aren’t usually active when the sun’s up.
• You see one in an odd place like on your lawn or your bedroom.
• It doesn’t seem able to fly.
• It doesn’t leave when you come near it.

What should you do if you come in contact with a bat?

If you’re bitten or if infectious material (such as saliva) from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound, wash the affected area thoroughly and get medical advice immediately. Whenever possible, the bat should be captured and sent to a laboratory for rabies testing.

Note that there isn’t always an obvious bite wound. 

Can casual contact give me rabies?

No. You can’t get infected just from seeing a bat in an attic, a cave, or at a distance. And you can’t get rabies from being in contact with bat droppings, blood, urine, or from touching a bat’s fur. But you should never be that close to let that happen in the first place.

What should I do if my pet is exposed to a bat?

Contact a veterinarian or your health department for assistance immediately and have the bat tested for rabies. You pet should already have up to date rabies vaccinations.

Sources: Newmarket Public Health and Centers For Disease Control.