Rabid Bat Found In Orange County: What To Know

IRVINE, CA — A bat tested positive for rabies in Orange County, and health officials are warning the community of potential outbreaks today.

The rabies case was reported at around 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Irvine Regional Park.

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Health officials noted that once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the illness is nearly always fatal.

In most cases of humans contracting the virus in the U.S., it resulted from bat strains of rabies, health officials said, noting that bats have very small teeth and their bites may go unnoticed.

Several tips suggested by the Orange County Health Care Agency and Animal Care to assist with minimizing the risk of rabies include:
- 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 has 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; and
-Report all animal bites to OC Animal Care.

Anyone who may have had physical contact with the bat or witnessed someone else who was in contact was urged to call the OC Health Care Agency Communicable Disease Control Division at 714-834-8180. To report a bat inside a
home or business, or an animal bite, contact the OC Animal Care at 714-935-6848.