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Rabies alert: Bat encounter on Minneapolis sidewalk
21 Sep
Summary
- A bat found on a downtown Minneapolis sidewalk tested positive for rabies.
- A woman and her dog were seen interacting with the bat before it was tested.
- Health officials urge anyone who touched the bat to seek immediate medical advice.
A bat found on a downtown Minneapolis sidewalk last week has tested positive for rabies, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. The discovery was made on Hennepin Avenue between North Washington Avenue and North Third Street around noon on a Tuesday.
Health officials reported that a woman, described as approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall with curly brown hair, and her golden retriever-like dog were observed interacting with the bat. She was seen crouching over it and placing it in a bag before handing it to another passerby who then submitted it for testing.
Rabies is a fatal disease that can be prevented with vaccination but cannot be treated once symptoms appear. Health officials emphasize that bat bites can be painless and may leave no visible mark. Symptoms can take weeks or months to manifest. The department strongly advises anyone who may have touched the bat to immediately call 911 and request Animal Care and Control, and to consult their healthcare provider.
