KAWARTHA LAKES-The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit and Peterborough Public Health (now legally merged) are urging residents to avoid handling bats after a noticeable spike in bat-related exposures this summer.

Attempting to capture a bat indoors can increase your chances of being bitten or scratched, which raises the risk of being exposed to the rabies virus. If there was no direct contact with a bat, meaning it did not touch or land on a person, the risk of rabies is extremely low.

Rabies is a viral disease that spreads through the saliva of animals and is known to infect bats throughout Ontario.

What to Do if you Discover a Bat Indoors If you find a live bat in your home and there was no direct contact:

• Do not touch or attempt to capture it.

• Confine it to a room, turn off the lights, and open a window to allow it to fly out on its own.

• If the bat does not leave, contact a pest control professional for safe removal. What to Do if you or Someone you Know has Come in Contact with a Bat If bitten, scratched, or if any physical contact with a bat occurred:

• Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water (or hand sanitizer if soap is unavailable)

• Immediately consult a healthcare provider about post-exposure treatment or call the Health Unit.

• Rabies is preventable with timely treatment, but once symptoms appear, it is fatal. When is Medical Treatment Recommended Rabies exposure treatment, also called post exposure prophylaxis, is recommended if a bat touches or lands on you and it is possible that you were bitten, scratched, or got bat saliva in a cut, your mouth, eyes, or nose, even if you are not sure. If a bat is found in a bedroom or sleeping area, with a child or individuals who are unable to give a reliable assessment (ex. deep sleepers, intoxicated, unable to communicate etc.) of direct contact with the bat, contact your healthcare provider.

If you find a dead bat indoors or on your property, contact the Health Unit. Protect Your Pets from Rabies Rabid bats also pose a risk to pets. Ensure your pet’s rabies vaccination is up to date. In Ontario, rabies vaccination is required by law for domestic cats and dogs. Cats and dogs are natural predators that often catch and kill or injure bats. Cats and dogs are natural predators that often catch and kill or injure bats. If your pet catches a bat, contact your veterinarian immediately to ensure it receives rabies vaccine/booster.

The veterinarian can also arrange to send the bat for testing.

Report Unusual Bat Deaths:

• Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre: 1-866-673-4781

• Natural Resources Information Support Centre: 1-800-387-7011 For more information on rabies prevention, visit www.hkpr.on.ca/rabies.

• If you live in the County of Haliburton, City of Kawartha Lakes, or Northumberland County, call 1-866- 888-4577 ext. 5006. • If you live in the County or City of Peterborough, call 705-743-1000.