The island

Denman bat tests positive for rabies, article advises

A Grapevine article reports a positive test and outlines steps to take after possible exposure.

The Denman Firestarter · reporting 2019-09-05 · compiled 2026-10-01

Back issue. The Denman Firestarter did not exist on 2019-09-05. This edition was compiled on 2026-10-01 from the public record as it stood on 2019-09-05, and contains nothing dated after that day — no outcomes, no hindsight. It is a reconstruction of what was on the record at the time, not a document from the time. This edition.

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A Grapevine article by Jenny Balke of the Denman Community Association reports that a bat found by a dog along a Denman trail tested positive for rabies.^[1]

The article advises people not to handle wildlife and says to wash an exposed site with soap and water and call North Island Health after a bite, scratch or direct contact with bat saliva.^[1]

It also advises contacting a veterinarian or public health veterinarian if a dead or sick bat is available for testing, while avoiding further direct contact.^[1]

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