Bat tests positive for rabies in Chatham-Kent, prompting public health warning

CTV News

18-07-2025

This is an undated photo of a silver-haired bat, the species most often associated with human rabies. (AP Photo/Merlin D. Tuttle, Bat Conservation International).
Chatham-Kent Public Health is urging residents to take precautions after a bat recently tested positive for rabies in the region.
Officials are reminding the public to avoid wild, aggressive or stray animals and to take simple preventative steps to protect themselves, their families and pets.
'Rabies remains nearly 100 per cent fatal once clinical symptoms develop, and without immediate medical intervention following an exposure, the outcome is almost always tragic,' said Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, acting medical officer of health for Chatham-Kent. 'That's why prompt reporting of any bite or scratch and timely post-exposure treatment is extremely important.'
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is most commonly spread through the saliva of infected animals via bites or scratches. Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, dogs and cats can all carry and transmit the virus.
Dr. Nesathurai said although human rabies cases in Canada are rare, any exposure carries serious risk. 'Rabies prevention is a shared responsibility,' he said. '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.'
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is also highlighting the ongoing risk of rabies in the region.
'This disease is 100 per cent preventable,' said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex.
Officials stress the importance of avoiding physical contact with all wild animals — even those that appear healthy.
'The best approach is to call Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources if you see any wild animals acting strangely, and get help from experts to deal with wildlife,' Aloosh said.
Residents are encouraged to seek medical attention right away if they have contact with a bat or are bitten or scratched by any animal.
'People can call us 24 hours, seven days per week. They can call their health care provider, family physician, to get an assessment. And if there's a risk, then we go to the next step with prevention, which is completely free and prevents this deadly disease.'
Dr. Aloosh says the virus continues to circulate in local wildlife populations.
'We know that rabies is circulating in wildlife in our region and in Ontario. We know that bats carry the virus. We know that skunks, raccoons, fox, and other species that carry virus. So we should consider all of them, an exposure, a potential exposure for humans and make sure that we are away from the wildlife.'
'We haven't had any cases for decades,' the Aloosh added. 'We haven't had a human case for decades and that shows the importance of awareness of our population, of our community that when they're exposed, they reach out for help.'
According to the health unit, over 1,000 human exposures were investigated last year, with 627 bite investigations so far this year — most involving dogs and cats.
'We have seen bats in houses or even when you try to get to be away from wildlife, the wildlife might expose you to the virus and that's when you need to get help of the professionals. Don't touch that bat. Make sure that you're not exposed when you're trying to guide that animal outside of your house. I think that that's really important,' the spokesperson said. 'The other fact about having a circulating virus in the wildlife and zero human cases shows the awareness of our community, and getting help. It talks also about the effectiveness of the vaccine and the treatment that we have available. That's 100 per cent saved lives.'
As officials work to raise awareness about rabies, bats are also getting attention of a different kind at Point Pelee National Park.
Dan Riskin, CTV's science and technology specialist, is in the region Saturday night to host a talk called 'The Wonderful World of Bats.'
'People shouldn't be scared of bats because they're part of a natural, healthy ecosystem. So when you see a great blue heron, you don't get freaked out. That's just an animal that lives in your world. Bats are like that,' said Riskin.
'If you see bats flying around, you're not in any danger at all. If you touch a bat, you're vulnerable to rabies because if the bat does have the disease, that's how you're going to get it. It's either going to scratch you or bite you. Even the smallest little bite can pass on the virus.'
'And the thing about rabies is, if you wait until you get symptoms, you're almost certain to die. You have to get treated right away. So here's my advice. If you see bats, it's great. If they're flying around, it's great. Nothing to worry about. If someone comes into contact with a bat or a kid, you suspect it came into contact with a bat. Take them to a doctor. Make sure they get rabies shots as a preventative measure. And that way if they do get the virus, they're going to be totally fine.'
Meantime, CK Public Health and WECHU are asking anyone who comes into contact with a bat — or who finds one in their home — to contact a licensed pest control professional to safely remove the animal and seal up any entry points. Officials say exposure incidents should be reported to the health unit immediately.