Rabies-Infected Bat Found In Orange County

SANTA ANA, CA — Watch out for rabid bats, the Orange County Health Care Agency warned Friday.

Authorities confirmed rabies in a bat found along a brick wall between 1500 and 1600 East Santa Ana Canyon Road Tuesday afternoon in Orange. Health officials are urging anyone who came into contact with the infected bat to immediately call the healthcare officials at 714-834-8180 to undergo evaluation for rabies.

An untreated rabies infection is deadly. Rabies should be treated with series of shots before symptoms emerge. The virus that attacks the central nervous system. It can lay dormant in the human body for one to three months before the appearance of symptoms, which include fever, headache, excess salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis and mental confusion

An infected animal like a bat is usually how it is transmitted to people, and since bats have tiny teeth, a bite may go unnoticed, HCA officials said.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.