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NLIS 4
September 23, 2004
(Natural Resources)

 

Rabies confirmed in bat in Cartwright

Provincial veterinarian Dr. Hugh Whitney of the Department of Natural Resources said today a case of rabies in a bat has been identified in Cartwright, Labrador. This is the first recorded case of rabies in a bat in this province.

One bat from a group removed on September 7 from a resident�s house in Cartwright has tested positive for rabies. It has been identified as the species Little Brown Bat. The resident was concerned that bats living in his attic might be carrying the disease. With the support of local public health and conservation officers, the bats were captured and sent to the federal government�s rabies testing laboratory in Ottawa.

"The public should be very cautious in dealing with bats," said Dr. Jane McGillivray, medical officer of health for Labrador. "The most common cause of human rabies in Canada and the U.S. is exposure to bats primarily because people who encounter them may not realize that they have been exposed. Our bat species have very small teeth and a scratch or bite might not be noticed in an accidental encounter. People in contact with bats should contact their local public health office to determine whether they are at risk."

"It is not a surprise that we have now found this disease in our bats," said Dr. Whitney. "It is assumed that wherever there are bats in North America there is bat rabies; it is now our turn to see this for ourselves."

According to Derek Leboubon, regional enforcement manager for Labrador, bats are found throughout Labrador in houses, cabins and other buildings.

"We understand that there is a risk but people should not over-react," said Mr. Leboubon. "There are reasonable ways to remove bats from our buildings allowing them to live elsewhere. We do not encourage people to unnecessarily kill any wild animals."

Canada has had three cases of human death from rabies since 1985, all from encounters with rabid bats. These cases were contracted in British Columbia (2003), Quebec (2000), and Alberta (1985). In Atlantic Canada, there have been a number of bat-associated rabies cases in recent years. In P.E.I. recently a cat died from bat rabies as did a cat in Nova Scotia in 2003. New Brunswick has also had cases. In the U.S. there has been an increase in reported cases of rabies in bats in many states.

Dr. Whitney asks all residents who find bats in strange circumstances to report them to local conservation officers so that they can be tested. Particular concern should be given when a bat is acting strange in the daytime or when a pet, such as a cat, brings a bat home. Further work is being carried out so see if there is any link between the P.E.I. case, the case here and cases elsewhere in North America.

Dr. Whitney continues to advise residents in Labrador of the following recommendations:

  • Vaccinate all pets;
  • Control stray animals in communities;
  • Avoid and report all strange-acting animals;
  • Keep pets under control at all times.

Further information on rabies can be found on the provincial government�s Web site at www.gov.nl.ca/agric  under Animal Diseases. Information on removing bats from buildings can be found at //www.gov.nl.ca/snp/rehab/problem_wildlife_bats.htm

For more information contact:

Dr. Jane McGillivray, (709) 897-2328
Dr. Hugh Whitney, (709) 729-6879

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications (709) 729-5282, (709) 685-4624

2004 09 23                           3:15 p.m.


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