IRVINE (CNS) – A bat found in Irvine Regional Park has tested positive for rabies, the OC Health Care Agency announced Thursday.
The bat was found at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, the agency announced.
Anyone who may have had physical contact with the bat or saw someone else having contact with it is asked to call the OC Health Care Agency Communicable Disease Control Division at 714-834-8180.
Owners of pets who may have had contact with this bat should contact their veterinarian.
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, according to the agency.
Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal. For that reason, preventive treatment to stop the rabies virus from causing illness is given to anyone who may have been exposed to rabies.
Medical assistance should be obtained promptly after an exposure so any wound can be cleaned and preventive treatment can be started, according to the agency.
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