Two bats found in Grey Bruce have tested positive for rabies.
In a release, the Grey Bruce Health Unit says one was found in the Town of the Blue Mountains and the other in Brockton.
The Health Unit says investigation have taken place in both cases to ensure there is no risk to the health of residents.
Last year, there were no animals found positive for rabies in the region, according to the Grey Bruce Health Unit. In 2018, one positive animal was detected.
The Health Unit advises the incident is a reminder rabies continues to be present in local wildlife.
Rabies is a deadly, but preventable, disease that affects humans and other mammals. The Health Unit says the virus is found in the saliva of rabid animals and can spread through a bite, or if the saliva comes in contact with a cut, scratch or moist tissues of the mouth, nose or eyes.
There is no known treatment for rabies once the symptoms appear.
“Rabies is fatal to un-protected animals and without timely preventative treatment after exposure will cause death in humans,” a statement from the Health Unit explains.
Health officials remind exposure can be prevented by not touching or feeding a wild or unknown animal, especially one behaving strangely or appears to be sick or injured. They also advise to keep pets under control at all times.