Bats In The Bike Shop; Another Rabid Bat Found In Orange County

IRVINE, CA — A dead bat found inside a bike rental shop in Orange last week tested positive for rabies, officials said Saturday. This was the second such finding in the last two weeks.

The latest discovery was made at the shop, at Irvine Regional Park at 1 Irvine Park Rd., on Wednesday, at around 1:30 p.m., according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

"Anyone who may have had physical contact with this bat or saw someone else having contact with the bat was asked to call the agency's Communicable Disease Control Division at 714-834-8180, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or 714-834-7792 after hours to determine the risk for rabies," OC Health spokesperson Jessica Good said in release.

Pets who may have had contact with this bat should contact their veterinarian, Good said.

Earlier in September, a bat found at the east entrance of a commercial building in Anaheim also tested positive for rabies. That bat was found in the late afternoon of Sept. 13, near the 1100 block of N. Euclid St.

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. Because bats have very small teeth, their bites may go unnoticed.

Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is always nearly fatal, which is why preventive treatment to stop the rabies virus from causing illness is given to anyone who may have been exposed. Doctors say medical assistance should be obtained promptly after an exposure so any wound can be cleaned and preventive treatment can be started.

HCA and OC Animal Care recommend the following actions to minimize the risk of rabies:

• Avoid all contact with wild animals.
• Vaccinate all cats and dogs against rabies.
• Do not sleep with open unscreened windows or doors.
• If bats are seen inside the house or other structure, close off the area and contact animal control. Once the bat(s) have been removed, close off any areas allowing entrance into the house.
• Do not leave pet food outside where it will attract wild animals.
• Immediately wash all animal bites with soap and water, being sure to flush the wound well, then contact your doctor.
• Report all animal bites to OC Animal Care.
• Report stray animals to OC Animal Care.

More information about rabies is available at the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/rabies