07/23/2026
A bat located in Aylmer, Ontario, has tested positive for rabies. An individual who was exposed to the bat is receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis which will prevent them from contracting the virus.
Rabies is a viral disease that is spread through the saliva of animals. It affects an animal’s brain and eventually leads to death. Humans exposed to the virus – usually through a bite or scratch from an infected animal - require treatment to avoid death.
⚠️A positive rabies test result serves as a reminder to all community members that rabies is present in our region, and everyone should know what to do if bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal.
Know how to prevent rabies for you and your loved ones:
- Always watch wildlife from a distance
- Avoid touching, petting, or handling unknown animals (including dogs and cats)
- Teach children to stay away from wild animals and strange dogs or cats, and to tell an adult when they have been bitten or scratched by an unknown animal.
- Vaccinate your pets against the rabies virus
- Keep pets indoors at night
- Do not attempt to feed wildlife
- Do not touch or approach sick animals, or animals acting strangely or aggressively
- Be familiar with signs of rabies in your pets and wild animals
Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected mammals. Observing a bat does not cause rabies; if you see a bat in your home, avoid handling it and call a local wildlife rescue for support.
Learn more about rabies on our website: www.swpublichealth.ca/rabies
