A surprising incident occurred during a school bus ride in Drumheller when a bat was discovered on board. According to two parents who spoke to CBC News, at least three students are receiving treatment for potential rabies exposure after coming into contact with the bat last week.
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 vehicle was in motion. The school division did not provide any comments when contacted by CBC News.
As a precautionary measure, the transportation department informed parents that Alberta Health Services would contact the families of students present on the bus when the bat was present. Students who were not on the bus during that time will not be contacted.
Following the incident report on May 13, Alberta Primary and Preventative Health Services spokesperson Tom McMillan stated that health officials promptly took action. The bus driver and students potentially exposed to the bat were evaluated, with a few receiving treatment for exposure. Currently, there have been no reports of serious illness or adverse reactions among the affected students.
Although Alberta Health Services did not disclose the exact number of students being treated for rabies exposure or whether direct contact occurred with the bat, the transportation department informed parents that the bat eventually flew out of an open window.
Even without initial detection of rabies, immediate medical attention is strongly advised following contact with a bat. According to rabies researcher Alan Jackson from the University of Calgary, any bat exposure should be treated seriously. Typical response involves receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, a treatment requiring multiple doses of rabies vaccine over two weeks.
Between 2016 and 2025, over 4,000 individuals in Alberta have received rabies post-exposure prophylaxis according to the provincial government. Fatal human rabies cases in Alberta have occurred in 1985 and 2007, with a total of 28 cases reported in Canada, all resulting in fatalities due to exposure to bats or contact outside the country.
Jackson emphasized that once rabies symptoms manifest in humans, the disease is almost always fatal. Seeking medical assistance is crucial for individuals with potential rabies exposure. Throughout 1927 to 2025, there have been 1,019 animal rabies cases reported in Alberta, primarily involving bats and skunks.