Bat (Photo – Morchfoto, pixabay)
The Pasadena Public Health Department seeks help from the community in locating anyone who may have touched, or had contact with, a bat found outdoors on the ground near State Street and south Fair Oaks Avenue on 10/15/2019 at approximately 3:30 p.m. The bat has tested positive for rabies and it is uncertain whether there could have been individuals in direct contact with it.
Any contact whatsoever with a rabid bat is a very serious health concern. Rabies is often a fatal disease and requires timely preventive medical treatment. While the length of time between exposure to rabies and onset of rabies illness is usually three to eight weeks, in some persons it can be considerably longer. Individuals who touched or may have had contact with this bat should seek medical treatment from their physician immediately.
Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, Pasadena Public Health Director, stated:
Although there has been only one bat that tested positive for rabies so far this yearin Pasadena, there is the potential for additional rabid bats in the area. In LA County, the only animals known to routinely carry rabies are bats, and on average, 35 rabid bats (15-20% of bats tested) are detected in LA County each year. Because rabies is often a fatal illness and it is often not possible to determine visually if an animal has rabies, any contact with bats and other wild animals should be avoided.
A scratch from a tooth or bite from a rabid animal could cause rabies infection in people or other animals. Wash the wound area immediately with soap and water and seek medical care.
Dead or dying bat
If you see a dead or dying bat on the ground, do not handle it. Please contact your local animal control agency to collect the bat for rabies testing. Report any potential bat bites involving people to the Pasadena Public Health Department at 626-744-6089 or if pets are affected, contact an emergency veterinarian. For more information on rabies, please visit www.CDC.gov.
Source:Cityofpasadena.net
The bat pictured here does not exist in California and gives a false picture of the problem. We do not have vampire bats north of Central America. Bat species in California are insect eating or nectar eating species. You will not be “bit” but could be infected by mishandling a bat. Leave them alone. If found on the ground call Animal Control.
Geez, why would someone be foolish enough to touch it….
We have bats in a neighborhood. Scary.