Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
MEDIA RELEASE:
July 11, 2022

Approximately three percent of bats carry the rabies virus. The most common signs of rabies in bats are the inability to fly and resting in unusual places such as the ground or floor. It is important to remember many of the bats that get into our homes are healthy bats and are looking for a way out.

Bats are nocturnal animals and feed most actively two to three hours following sunset. They are efficient pest controllers as they consume three times their body weight in insects per night. Bats select attics for nursery colonies, however, during the day they roost in trees and in buildings. Bats are usually born in June. Nests are not required as the young are able to fly and obtain their own food within three weeks. Hibernation occurs between November and March. Some species typically hibernate in attics of buildings while others prefer caves.

Diseases Bats May Carry

Bats do have the potential to carry diseases such as rabies and histoplasmosis, which can affect humans and animals. They may also transmit distemper and mange to household pets.

• Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system, and is found in the saliva of infected animals. Rabies is fatal if left untreated.
• Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by a fungus that grows in soil contaminated with bat or bird droppings. Exposure to the fungus occurs when the soil is disturbed. The disease primarily affects the lungs and can be fatal if left untreated. If you are cleaning areas where bat droppings have accumulated be sure to wear a protective mask and gloves and keep dust to a minimum.

Bat Encounters

Bat exposures: If a bat is carrying the rabies virus, there is a risk of it being transmitted to an individual when both the following conditions apply:

• There has been direct contact with a bat – direct contact with a bat is defined as the bat touching or landing on a person; 

AND

• A bite, scratch, or saliva exposure into a wound or mucous membrane. If you are bitten by a bat or if saliva from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth or a wound, wash the affected area thoroughly and get medical attention immediately. If the bat is available, the Health Unit can arrange for it to be tested for rabies.

In a child, any direct contact with a bat (i.e., the bat landing on or touching the child, including contact through clothes) could be considered a reason for vaccine administration, as a child may not be able to reliably communicate the encounter with the bat to determine the type of the contact (i.e., a bite, scratch or mucous membrane exposure).

If you have experienced a bat encounter and/or may have been bitten, contact 1-800-660-5853 or on weekends call 613-345-5685 and seek medical attention from a health care provider.

Bat Proofing Your Home

Bat proofing your house is necessary when the bats are entering the living space of your home. It is advisable to contact a pest management company or a wildlife conservation agency for assistance with bat-proofing your home.

If you find a bat in your home and there was no human or animal contact, the bat can be released to the outdoors. Wear thick gloves when handling the bat to avoid being bitten.

Rabies can also affect pets; to protect your pet from rabies it is important to vaccinate them. Rabies vaccination is mandatory in Ontario for domestic cats and dogs. The Health Unit, in Partnership with local Veterinarians and Municipalities, will be holding Rabies Vaccination Clinics on September 14, 2022. The cost is $20.00 per animal; information about our Rabies Clinics times and locations will be posted on our website and on social media near the end of August.  

Related Links

• Bats – Health Canada
• Keeping Bats Out of Your House – Centers of Disease Control and Prevention
• Prevent conflicts with bats | ontario.ca
• Bat Conservation International

-30-

For media interviews, contact: Susan Healey, Communications Co-ordinator or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lanark County
Media Release
July 11, 2022

Road resurfacing work is scheduled to begin on County Road 511 starting in the Village of Lanark on Wednesday, July 13. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in the area where work is taking place.

Lanark County Public Works advises that roadside parking will be restricted within the village fromWednesday, July 13 to Friday, July 15, and vehicle access to driveways may be temporarily
unavailable.

“Please ensure vehicles are removed from the street to allow for the work to proceed,” said Sean Derouin, public works manager. “If your parked vehicle affects the construction work, it will be relocated at the owner’s expense.”

Businesses may want to consider adjusting delivery times as a result of the lane and parkingrestrictions during this project. “We apologize for any inconvenience this project may cause you,” Derouin added.

For further information, please contact:
Sean Derouin, P.Eng, CET
Public Works Manager
Lanark County
1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194

We are super excited to congratulate Pat Purdy for winning first place in the 2022 Spring Fever Photography Contest. She captured a lovely moment in early spring on Mississippi Lake with her sweet dog braving the thawing waters for a quick dip. 

Our second place winner is Megan Laye, with this lovely close up of a nest filled with Chipping Sparrow eggs. Nothing says spring like baby birds and new life!

Lynsey Wheeler takes third place with her photo representing the rural living in Drummond/North Elmsley. 

Below are more photos that were submitted to the Spring Fever Photography Contest that we wanted to share!

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held on Tuesday, June 14, 2022.

Township Treasurer Retires
After 31 years, Linda Van Alstine gave notice to Council that she is retiring effective July 8, 2022. Linda started working for Drummond Township on January 1, 1991. She has seen a lot over those years and went through the amalgamation with North Elmsley in 1998, an ice storm and 2 major spring floods. She was appointed the Township Treasurer in 2011. Her most recent accomplishments include the implementation of a new financial system in 2021 and she has championed a new asset management plan. Her last day will be July 8, 2022. Council accepted her resignation with regrets and wished her all the best for her well-deserved retirement.

Road Allowance Closure
Council declared the unopened road allowance between Lots 15 and 16 Concession 11 surplus to its needs and will be undertaking the process to stop up, close and sell the road allowance.

Upcoming Meetings

• Special Committee of the Whole: Official Plan Review Issues and Options Report June 22, 2022 at 8:30 a.m.
• Council Meeting: June 28, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Committee of theWhole
• Council will break for the month of July and resume on August 9

Lanark Archives will be having a book sale on Saturday June 25th 10am - 4pm. Drummond Township Hall 1920 Concession 7, Drummond Centre

We have a selection of books on local history, genealogy, military history, vintage school textbooks, and much more. We have some Rural School Books still in stock. For more information, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

MEDIA RELEASE:

June 6, 2022

The Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit would like to remind our citizens that we will be starting our mosquito surveillance program once again this June. This program will be carried through until the end of September. Should you see one of our traps in your neighbourhood, please do not disturb it.  These traps are not mosquito control units, so they have no value to property owners, but they are important in identifying mosquitoes and providing a warning that disease causing mosquitoes are present in a given area.

We all play a role in preventing West Nile Virus infections, and when we all do our part we will reduce the risk of this disease in our community. 

Each homeowner has the responsibility of removing standing water that provides breeding areas for mosquitoes on their property.  Most mosquitoes do not travel large distances and thus those breeding within your space are likely to bite you.  

The municipality is charged with the responsibility of ensuring proper drainage on municipally owned lands and public ditches.  The roads departments have the knowledgeable staff and proper equipment to ensure this is achieved.  Additionally it is a municipal responsibility to address complaints regarding standing water on private land within its jurisdiction, using applicable property standards bylaws.  Should positive mosquito pools be identified in a municipality, it is also the responsibility of council to take the necessary control actions as recommended by the Medical Officer of Health.

The Health Unit has the responsibility of assessing the risk for WNV within the Health Unit area. This is accomplished by conducting mosquito surveillance during the summer months.  The presence of virus in these natural hosts is an early sign that the virus is gaining a presence in an area.  The Health Unit is also responsible for following up any human cases of diseases and, more importantly, trying to prevent human cases by educating the public on personal protection and strategies that reduce mosquito breeding areas.

Individuals have the responsibility to protect themselves from mosquito bites by: avoiding areas with high mosquito populations; wearing light-coloured clothing, including long sleeves, pants and hat; covering exposed skin and using a mosquito repellent containing the appropriate amount of DEET. 

For more information, visit the mosquitoes section on this page of the website : Insect Bites and Diseases - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

For media interviews, contact: Susan Healey, Communications Co-ordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 613-802-0550

Lanark County Media Release
June 3, 2022

Lanark County is looking to beat its third-place finish in eastern Ontario in the annual Silver Chain Challenge – and you can help!

The Silver Chain Challenge began as a friendly competition between the local municipalities in Lanark County about 10 years ago and is intended to inspire and promote more active, safer and healthier communities. Participants (all of us!) are invited to walk, run, bike and wheel on trails and roads in an effort to improve physical and mental health.

Each year from June 1 to 30 participants log kilometres in their community by registering at https://silverchainchallenge.ca/. Real time stats are posted on the website so everyone can see which communities are most engaged. Kilometres have to be logged by 5 p.m. on July 1, 2022.

The invitation is extended to all members of the community, including schools, seniors’ clubs, workplaces, families, municipal councils, emergency services and anyone interested in improving physical and mental health.

For several years the event grew to be a competition between Lanark and Renfrew counties, with each winning twice. In 2021 it was opened to all 13 counties in eastern Ontario. Prince Edward County claimed the top spot with 44,345 kilometres logged, followed by Renfrew County in second with 22,331 and defending champions Lanark County placing third with 5,065.

“Now is the time for Lanark County residents to grab their gear and show eastern Ontario how active we can be,” said Lanark County Warden John Fenik (Perth Mayor). “This is also a great way to get into the practice of being active year round while exploring your community. It’s fun and, of course, Lanark County is in it to win it!”

The Silver Chain Challenge promotes healthy and safe active transportation, and participants are encouraged to make sure they are visible when biking, walking or running on trails and roads. Be aware of the rules of the road and make sure to wear an appropriate helmet when cycling.

“The Silver Chain Challenge, held every June, gives us a great reason to improve our physical health, support local communities and, best of all, get outside and to enjoy all the beauty Lanark County has to offer,” added Lanark County CAO Kurt Greaves.

For more information, to register and to track the competition, visit https://silverchainchallenge.ca/

For more information, please contact:
Kurt Greaves, CAO
Lanark County
1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1101

Off-road and offline: Avenza trail maps offer visitors a new way to explore

RIDEAU VALLEY, June 1, 2022 – No cell service? No problem! Visitors to RVCA’s conservation areas can now navigate even our most remote trails with confidence thanks to a new partnership with Avenza Maps. 

The Toronto-based mobile app offers GPS-enabled maps that can be used offline and without cell service to keep your bearings even in the deepest woods. 

“Safety is number one, and this is an innovative tool to help our visitors stay on track while exploring our beautiful properties,” said Conservation Lands Manager Chelsey Ellis. “We’re pleased to partner with such an ambitious and community-oriented organization.”

Tristan Lyttle, senior product manager with Avenza Systems Inc., agreed.

“We’re thrilled to see our local conservation authorities become early adopters of this technology,” Lyttle said. “Getting outside and exploring our surroundings has never been more important, and Avenza makes it even easier.” 

The app is supported by Android and iOS. Instructions on how to get started and use the mobile app can be found at https://www.avenzamaps.com/maps/how-it-works.html. QR codes for the RVCA’s new Avenza maps have been installed at the trailheads of eight conservation areas, and can also be found on their property-specific webpages at www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas. Scanning these QR codes will download RVCA’s maps to your phone to take out onto the trail. Ifyou don't have Avenza Maps app, you will be guided through the installation process

To avoid installation issues, the RVCA encourages visitors to download the free app before leaving home. Traditional trailhead maps and printed brochures will continue to be available, as well as downloadable PDF maps on the RVCA website. 

The RVCA offers a total of 42 km of trails through forests, wetlands, meadows and more. From the Chapman Mills boardwalk in Barrhaven to the Spy Rock lookout at Foley Mountain, our 11 conservation areas offer something for everyone, all year round.

For more information visit www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas or contact Conservation Lands Manager Chelsey Ellis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Christie Lake Road is closed until further notice from Glen Tay Side Road to Cameron Side Road due to a motor vehicle collision. 

Please take an alternate route as detours will be in place.