As fall approaches we may start thinking of bats just as spooky Halloween creatures. However, it is important to remember that they can also be carriers of a deadly disease… Rabies. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently reported that a bat infected with Rabies was found in a residential area in Burlington, Ontario. This is an all too important reminder that rabies is alive in southern Ontario.
Rabies is a very serious disease caused by a virus and is transmitted by infected saliva, usually through a bite wound. It is a zoonotic disease, which means that it can be passed from animals to humans. Rabies is almost always fatal in un-vaccinated people and pets who are infected and develop signs of the disease. Furthermore, bat bites can be very small so if your cat or dog is found in the same room as a bat, this is considered a Rabies exposure.
Please make sure your pet is up-to-date on rabies vaccination to protect both them and your family.
To learn more about Rabies please click here
