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Rabid Bat Found Near Ithaca Trail
11 Jun
Summary
- A rabid bat was discovered on Cascadilla Gorge Trail.
- No human contact with the bat has been reported.
- Health officials urge immediate contact if exposure occurs.
A rabid bat was discovered on the Cascadilla Gorge Trail near College Avenue in Ithaca on June 4. This finding was officially confirmed by the New York State Rabies Laboratory and announced by Tompkins County Whole Health on June 10.
Health officials have stated that there have been no reports of anyone, including pets, having contact with the bat. However, they emphasize the importance of immediate action if contact is suspected. Anyone who has had contact with a bat is urged to call TCWH's Environmental Health Division at 607-274-6688. This division provides 24/7 on-call staff to respond to inquiries.
Rabies is a serious and potentially fatal disease that bats can carry, and a small number of rabid bats are confirmed in Tompkins County annually. If a bat is found in a home and there's a possibility of contact with humans or pets, safely capturing the bat and contacting Environmental Health is critical. This allows for laboratory testing to rule out rabies infection, thereby preventing the need for rabies post-exposure treatment.
