A bat found at a Brantford daycare has tested positive for rabies, prompting the centre’s closure while it completes cleaning and works to prevent bats from getting into the building in the future.

According to a letter sent out by Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) Aug. 14, a dead bat found at Creative Minds daycare on Aug. 11 tested positive for the virus.

The centre, located on Wade Avenue in West Brant, first emailed parents on Aug. 11 about a dead bat found on the third floor, and again on Aug. 12 after a live bat was found in a stairwell.

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Then, due to the positive rabies test and discovery of the second bat, the centre decided Aug. 13 to close “immediately,” according to a letter sent to parents from owner/operator Vicki McNabb.

Creative Minds said one child and one staff member had direct contact with the rabies-positive bat. The parents of the child were immediately notified and have been receiving support from Creative Minds, their family doctor and GEPH.

The second, live bat “had no contact with any children or staff (that we are aware of) before it was safely captured and released,” according to Creative Minds’ letter to parents.

Creative Minds runs toddler and preschool programs, according to the regional daycare wait list OneList.

In messages shared with parents and The Spectator, the daycare outlined steps it is taking:

A professional deep clean scheduled for the weekendDaily morning inspections of the facility once it reopensWork by a licensed wildlife control company to seal flashing, close the chimney and install one-way exit doors to allow any remaining bats to leave while preventing re-entry

The centre said it will remain closed until that work is finished and it has received clearance from health authorities.

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A spokesperson for Creative Minds said the roof of the roughly 100-year-old building, which has housed the daycare since 2016, was replaced in March and that crews are looking into whether those repairs could have affected bat access.

A GEPH spokesperson said everyone with direct contact has been identified and contacted.

Another bat in the Brantford-Brant region tested positive for rabies last week, and a resident was exposed to another bat with the virus at the end of June.

While there is a low risk of coming into contact with an infected animal in Ontario, rabies is fatal if not treated before the start of symptoms.

It is transmitted from the saliva or mucus of an infected animal, like a fox, raccoon, skunk or bat. The virus can enter through bite or scratch wounds — sometimes too small to see — open cuts or mucus membranes like the eyes and mouth, according to GEPH’s release.

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately wash with soap and water, get medical attention immediately and report the incident to GEPH at 519-753-4937, ext. 470.

If a bat enters your home, call Hillside Kennels Animal Control at 519-469-3247 or 888-469-3247.

Visit bchu.org/rabies or hnhu.org/rabies for more information.

Celeste Percy-Beauregard’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report on stories about Brant County. Reach her at cpercybeauregard@torstar.ca.

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