Home / Health / Rabies Scare: Bat Tests Positive in Orange County Park
Rabies Scare: Bat Tests Positive in Orange County Park
29 May
Summary
- A bat found in Irvine Regional Park tested positive for rabies.
- Public health officials urge immediate contact if bat was touched.
- Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.
A bat found in Irvine Regional Park tested positive for rabies, according to the Orange County Healthcare Agency. The infected animal was discovered on Sunday, May 24, at 9:30 a.m. Public health officials are strongly advising anyone who may have touched the bat, or seen another person do so, to contact the Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180.
Pet owners whose animals might have encountered the bat should seek veterinary advice promptly. The rabies virus, present in an infected animal's saliva, can be transmitted through bites or, rarely, by contamination of eyes, mouth, or open wounds. Bats are a common source of human rabies in the U.S., and their small teeth can make bites go unnoticed.
Rabies is almost invariably fatal once symptoms begin. Therefore, preventative treatment is critical for anyone potentially exposed. Residents are advised to avoid wild animals, vaccinate pets, and secure homes against them. Bites should be immediately washed with soap and water, and medical attention sought. Report animal bites or bats in homes to OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848.
