SASKATOON — Saskatchewan officials acted quickly to ensure the safety of individuals at a daycare facility in Spiritwood after a bat was found living inside. Spiritwood is about a two-hour drive north of Saskatoon.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority said it has been a top priority for provincial health officials to keep residents safe in all instances, especially when there is potential exposure to rabies.
The SHA said on Thursday, June 4, a staff member of the Love & Laughter Early Learning Centre daycare, which is attached to Hartley Clark Elementary School, discovered the bat.
The staff member informed local officials, and a conservation officer was dispatched to capture the animal. The bat was sent for testing and later confirmed positive for rabies. The SHA added that immediate measures were taken to identify anyone who may have come into contact with the bat and to reduce the risk of infection.
As a precaution, all children and adults who may have been exposed were offered rabies immune globulin, which provides immediate protection, along with a course of rabies vaccine to provide longer-term immunity.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms develop. However, prompt treatment following exposure is highly effective in preventing illness.
The SHA said exposure to bats can sometimes occur without an obvious bite or scratch, particularly in young children, which is why anyone who may have had contact with the animal was assessed and offered treatment. The SHA urged people not to handle bats or other wild animals if they are found inside homes, schools or other buildings.
Residents who encounter a bat inside a dwelling are encouraged to contact HealthLine 811 for guidance on appropriate next steps, including whether rabies post-exposure treatment is recommended.
The incident marks another reminder from public health officials about the importance of avoiding direct contact with wildlife and seeking medical advice immediately following any possible exposure.
