Halton region confirms case of rabies found in a bat in Oakville

Halton Region Public Health has confirmed its first case of rabies in bats this year.

This is also the first confirmed case of animal rabies in the region this year.

The bat was found in the West Oakville neighbourhood, south of Speers Rd. and east of Fourth Line.

The viral disease causes severe damage to the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to death if left untreated before symptoms appear.

While rabies in bats are rare, bites have caused almost all human cases of the virus in Canada over the past several years. It is spread through the saliva of an infected animal.

If you have been bitten, scratched, or exposed to bat saliva, make sure to wash wounds thoroughly with soap and water, and get to a doctor as soon as possible.