Halton Region Public Health has confirmed that a bat found in Oakville has tested positive for rabies.
It's the first confirmed case of animal rabies in Halton Region this year.
In a release, Halton Region Public Health notes that "although rabies in bats is rare, bites from rabid bats have caused almost all human cases of rabies in Canada over the past several years."
It's not always possible to identify if a bat has rabies, however, rabid bats may move slowly, lose the ability to fly, remain active during daylight hours or be unresponsive to loud noises.
If you find a bat in your home, the health unit advises that you do not attempt to move it and contact your local Animal Control Services.
If you've been bitten, scratched or exposed to bat saliva, you should wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
