Bat found at park in Orange County tests positive for rabies
Orange County health officials on Wednesday warned the public after a bat that was found at a park last week tested positive for rabies.
The bat, which was discovered on the ground near a walking path at Rancho Santa Margarita Lake on Thursday, April 17 at around 2:30 p.m., according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
"The rabies virus is found in an animal's saliva and is transmitted to people by a bite from a rabid animal," the OCHA statement said. "Although very rare, contamination of the eyes, mouth or an open wound by the saliva of a rabid animal can also transmit rabies."
They say that most of the cases of human rabies in recent years resulted from bat strains, and that since they have such small teeth bites may go unnoticed. Once an infected person begins to show signs and symptoms of rabies, officials say "the disease is nearly always fatal."
Because of this, preventative treatment is administered as soon as possible to prevent the illness from worsening.
"Medical assistance should be obtained promptly after an exposure so any wound can be cleaned," the release said.
Officials also shared a number of tips to minimize the risk of a rabies infection, including:
- avoiding contact with wild animals,
- vaccinating all eligible pets against rabies,
- not sleeping with unscreened doors or windows,
- if bats get inside a home, close off the area and contact animal control,
- do not leave pet food outside,
- washing all animal bites with soap and water, flushing the wound well,
- reporting all animal bites to OC Animal Care.
They advised anyone who came into contact with the bat, or whose pet may have had contact, to immediately contact the OC Health Care Agency Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180 and/or their veterinarian.
