Bat beware, Interior Health warns of the extreme dangers of bat bites

May 21, 2017 | 9:23 AM

KAMLOOPS — This is the time of year when people could be exposed to bats — and the possibility of getting rabies.

Jennifer Jeyes with Interior Health says about 8 per cent of bats that are tested are found to have the virus.

“It spread through bites or saliva contact from an animal that has rabies,” said Jeyes. “It’s a disease that affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal unless it’s treated in time.”

Jeyes says it’s important to not make any physical contact with bats, who are the primary carrier of the rabies virus in B.C.