Rabid Bat Found At East Bay Mall, Public Health Department Says

HAYWARD, CA — A rabid bat has been found at Southland Mall in Hayward, the Alameda County Public Health Department reported Friday afternoon. The bat was found at entrance 8 on Feb. 5 but was not submitted to the health department laboratory for testing until Feb. 13. The health department is warning that "Anyone who touched or may have been bitten by this bat may have been exposed to rabies and should call the Alameda County Public Health Department at 510-267-3250, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m."

Since we are going into a holiday weekend, between now and Tuesday, callers should follow the voicemail prompts to reach the Public Health Duty Officer on-call.

The health department also warns that anyone who touched the bat "should also see a health care provider to receive preventive rabies post-exposure vaccine shots."

Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that affects the brain and the nervous system. It can usually be prevented if the exposed person or animal receives a series of rabies vaccine shots as soon as possible after the exposure.

Because bats are small and their teeth are tiny, bat bites are almost invisible and may not be noticed. Even if not bitten or scratched, contact with the saliva infected with the rabies virus can be acquired through skin abrasions or mucus membranes.

“The public should be aware that most cases of human rabies in the U.S. and California are due to contact with bats,” said Dr. Erica Pan, Interim County Health Officer.

Anyone whose pet may have had contact with this bat should call Hayward Animal Control at (510) 293-7200. They should also bring their pet to a veterinarian to receive a rabies vaccine booster shot.

Where the bat was from Feb. 5 through the 13th is still under investigation. Even if you have not been to Southland Mall, question your kids to find out if they have touched a bat.

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