By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
A week after the discovery of a dead bat with rabies in Warman, the City of Martensville has advised that a local resident was bitten multiple times on the neck by a bat while in his yard.
The incident was publicized via the City of Martensville’s Facebook page on Wednesday, October 1. Communications specialist Tyler Schroeder said via an e-mail that a resident called City Hall to inform the municipality of the attack on her husband, which occurred around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30.
Schroeder said the man had gone outside to let their dog out, and when he sat down on a chair, he was bitten twice on the neck. As a precaution, he received a rabies vaccination and is recovering.
The Facebook post suggested the bat “may have been acting to protect its young.” Regardless, residents should avoid all contact with bats and to seek immediate medical attention if bitten or scratched by a bat.
On September 25, the City of Warman also issued a warning via its Facebook page that a dead bat with rabies had been found in a backyard. No one had been bitten.
Coincidentally, the Government of Saskatchewan recently recognized World Rabies Day on Sunday, September 28.
Rabies is a preventable, viral disease affecting the central nervous system. In most cases, people are exposed to rabies through the saliva of an infected animal, typically when the saliva enters the body through a bite, scratch, or contact with broken skin or mucous membranes.
Early symptoms of rabies can resemble common illnesses, such as fever, headache, or general weakness, but as the disease progresses, more severe signs appear, including anxiety, confusion, paralysis, coma and ultimately death. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.
In Saskatchewan, rabies is most often found in skunks and bats, but can be found in other wild and domestic animals.
Anyone who believes they believe they been exposed to rabies should immediately flush the wound with soap and water and then call HealthLine 811/see a doctor as soon as possible.
For more information on rabies, contact the provincial rabies hotline at 1-844-772-2437 or visit: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/diseases-and-conditions/rabies.