Public health officials are warning people against handling wild bats trapped indoors after a “noticeable spike” in bat-related exposures across the region.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge district health unit (HKPR) and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) say it isn’t safe for people to actively attempt to remove bats from their homes.
“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,” the health unit said in an Aug. 8 media release.
Rabies is a viral disease that spreads through the saliva of animals and is known to infect bats throughout Ontario. In 2024, there were 91 incidents involving rabid bats across Ontario – including one in Kawartha Lakes, three in Peterborough, and two in Northumberland County.
HKPR spokesperson Ashley Beaulac said anyone concerned about being exposed to the virus should consult a health professional as soon as possible.
Initial symptoms in humans often mimic the flu, including fever, headache and pain or tingling at the wound site. Neurological symptoms include anxiety, confusion, hyperactivity, seizures, hallucinations and paralysis. If left untreated, rabies is “virtually 100 per cent fatal” according to the World Health Organization.
Anyone bitten or scratched is recommended to wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water before following up for post-exposure treatment.
People can still be afflicted without a bite or scratch – if bat saliva makes its way into the bloodstream via a cut, or someone’s mouth, eyes or nose they could be at risk.
Rabid bats also pose a risk to pets – vaccination is required by law for domestic cats and dogs, with the health unit saying it’s the owner’s responsibility to ensure coverage.
When finding a live bat, Beaulac advised confining it to a room, turning off the lights and opening a window to allow it to fly out on its own, or call a pest control professional for safe removal. Anyone finding a dead bat is asked to contact the health unit at 1-866-888-4577 ext. 5006.
