A surprising incident occurred during a school bus ride in Drumheller when a bat was discovered onboard. Following contact with the bat last week, three students are now undergoing treatment for possible rabies exposure, according to two parents who spoke to CBC News.
The transportation department of Golden Hills School Division informed parents via email that a bat emerged from its hiding place on the bus and flew around while the bus was in motion. The school division did not provide any comments before the article was published.
As a precautionary measure, Alberta Health Services will reach out to the families of students present on the bus during the bat incident. Those who were not on the bus at the time will not be contacted. Health officials responded promptly upon receiving the report on May 13, assessing the bus driver and students exposed, with some individuals receiving treatment.
At present, there are no reports of severe illness or adverse reactions among the affected students. Although the exact number of students receiving treatment for rabies exposure, the nature of contact with the bat, and whether the bat will undergo rabies testing remain unconfirmed by Alberta Health Services.
The transportation department informed parents that the bat eventually flew out of an open window. Even if initial tests do not detect rabies, immediate medical attention is crucial after bat contact, as emphasized by University of Calgary neuroscientist and rabies expert Alan Jackson.
Receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is the standard response to bat exposure, involving multiple doses of the rabies vaccine over a two-week period. Between 2016 and 2025, over 4,000 individuals in Alberta received this treatment, as reported by the Alberta government.
Since reporting began in 1924, Alberta has recorded two fatal human rabies cases in 1985 and 2007. In Canada, there have been a total of 28 fatal rabies cases caused by bat exposure or exposure outside the country. Symptoms of rabies in humans are almost always fatal once they manifest, underscoring the importance of seeking medical assistance for potential rabies exposures.
From 1927 to 2025, Alberta reported 1,019 animal rabies cases, with bats and skunks comprising the majority of cases. It is crucial to stay cautious around wild animals to prevent possible rabies exposure.