Second rabid bat found, Orange County health officials report

Orange County health officials are reporting the discovery of a second rabid bat in the last month.

A bat found Thursday, Sept. 29 outside the main lobby of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Building on Alton Parkway in Irvine has tested positive for rabies according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Given the location and circumstance, the O.C. Health Care Agency urged residents to be on the alert and avoid contact with any bats.

“Contact with bats should be avoided and any potential bat bite should be discussed with a medical provider,’’ the agency said.

Anyone who may have had physical contact with this bat or who saw someone else having contact with the bat was asked to call the agency’s Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180 to determine the risk for rabies.

Owners of pets who may have had contact with this bat should contact their veterinarian.

On Sept. 14, a bat found at a parking lot at Pickleball Court No. 1 at the Fountain Valley Tennis Center on 16400 Brookhurst St. tested positive for rabies.

The rabies virus is found in an animal’s saliva and is transmitted to people by a bite from a rabid animal. Although very rare, contamination of the eyes, mouth or an open wound by the saliva of a rabid animal can also transmit rabies.

Most cases of human rabies in the United States in recent years have resulted from bat strains of rabies; bats have very small teeth, and their bites may go unnoticed. Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal.

OCHCA and O.C. Animal Care officials recommend the following actions to minimize the risk of rabies:

— Avoid all contact with wild animals;
— Vaccinate all cats and dogs against rabies;
— Do not sleep with open unscreened windows or doors;
— If bats are seen inside the house or other structure, close off the area and contact animal control;
— Do not leave pet food outside where it will attract wild animals;
— Immediately wash all animal bites with soap and water, being sure to flush the wound well, then contact your doctor;
— Report all animal bites to O.C. Animal Care;
— Report stray animals to O.C. Animal Care.

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