The Sudbury and District Health Unit is reminding the public that the summer weather brings an increased risk of contact with bats.
Bats can carry rabies, an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. If left untreated, rabies is fatal in humans.
The health unit saw a significant increase in the number of reported bat exposures during the summer of 2007 with 43 bat exposures being reported. Fifteen bats were submitted for testing and two tested positive for rabies. Thirty-eight people received rabies vaccine in 2007 following exposure.
"We cannot predict what the bat activity will be for 2008, but we would like to remind everyone to avoid handling bats to reduce the risk of exposure to the rabies virus," said Richard Auld, an environmental support officer in the health unit's Environmental Health Division. "It is especially important to remind children not to touch bats," he added.
People may become infected with rabies when bitten or scratched by a rabid bat or when a rabid bat's saliva comes into contact with broken skin or moist tissues of the mouth, nose or eyes.
Rabid bats are rarely aggressive. A bat may be rabid if it is active by day, if it is found in a place where bats are not usually seen, and/or if it is unable to fly. These bats are often easily approached, but should never be touched.
A bat has sharp, needle-like teeth that may cause a relatively painless bite that is not easy to see. If you are bitten by a bat, or if saliva from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. Get medical advice immediately and report the incident to the Sudbury and District Health Unit.
If there is no sign of a bite wound, you should still call the Sudbury and District Health Unit at 522-9200, ext. 398, or toll-free at 1-866-522-9200 when: a bat lands on a person, a person wakes up to find a bat in the room, or a bat is found in the room of a person unable to report contact, such as an infant.
The best way to prevent human exposure is to keep bats out of your home and cottage. This can be done by covering all outside points of entry. Watch where the bat exits at dusk and keep them from re-entering by hanging loose plastic sheeting or bird netting over these areas. After the bats have left, permanently seal the openings.
For more information on bats and rabies, call the Environmental Health Division of the Sudbury and District Health Unit at 522-9200, ext. 398, or visit www.sdhu.com .
