A bat located on a sidewalk in Orange has been confirmed to carry rabies, leading health authorities to advise residents on Wednesday to steer clear of wild animals and seek medical attention if they suspect exposure.
The bat was found in the afternoon on October 16 in the 500 block of South Main Street on the west side, as reported by the Orange County Health Care Agency.
Authorities recommend that anyone who handled the bat or witnessed someone else doing so should contact the agency’s Communicable Disease Control Division at 714-834-8180, available around the clock.
Pet owners whose animals might have encountered the bat are advised to consult their veterinarian, according to officials. The agency noted in a statement that rabies is almost invariably fatal once symptoms appear, but timely preventive treatment is both safe and effective following potential exposure.
The agency, along with OC Animal Care, provided these safety recommendations: Stay away from wild animals, ensure cats and dogs are vaccinated against rabies.
Rabies is generally spread through the saliva of infected animals. A bite is the usual method of transmission although cases have occurred through contact with the eyes, mouth or an open wound.
