Island Health says a bat has tested positive for the rabies virus that was discovered on the property of a Central Saanich school.
Parents and staff of Keating Elementary school have been notified the bat was found Wednesday, Sep. 4 near the Out of School Care portable.
Island Health says a number of people were provided with a preventative vaccine against rabies after being considered to have had direct contact with the bat, such as touching and handling.
Officials believe it is unlikely children attending the school would have had contact with the bat during school hours since the animal was discovered in the area near a school portable and after school hours.
Island Health says if a child or adult reports having direct contact with a bat on school grounds to immediately contact the communicable disease program at 1-866-665-6626.
The health authority advises no children should touch, poke or pick up a bat and no one should tease or taunt wildlife, including bats.
Island Health says parents should remind their children that if they find an animal that appears ill or dead to immediately tell a teacher or another adult so it can be removed as soon as as possible.
In July, a 21-year-old B.C. man died of a rare viral rabies infection after coming into contact with a bat on Vancouver Island.
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