Rabid Bat Discovered At William Mason Regional Park

LAKE FOREST, CA — A bat that was discovered on a picnic bench near a restroom at William Mason Regional Park tested positive for rabies, Orange County Health Care Agency said.

On Thursday, OC Health urged anyone who had physical contact with that bat near the Irvine park to contact the Orange County Health Care Agency to determine the risk for rabies.

"By the time someone infected with the virus exhibits symptoms, the disease is nearly always fatal," agency officials said. "For that reason preventive treatment to stop the rabies virus from causing illness is given to anyone who may have been exposed to rabies."

Anyone who may have had contact with the bat found in the park was urged to call the HCA's Epidemiology Department at (714) 834-8180 during business hours, or at (714) 834-7792 after hours.

Recommended actions to prevent contracting rabies include:

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