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Rabies found in O.C. bats
March 19th, 2010, 7:59 am · 16 Comments · posted by Pat Brennan, science, environment editor
Three bats have tested positive for rabies in recent months, Orange County Health officials say, and they’re urging residents to avoid touching bats and other wild animals.
File photo of bat by the Associated Press.
Two of the bats were found in mid-February, one in March, in Newport Beach, San Clemente and Irvine, though the Orange County Health Care Agency says residents throughout the county should take precautions.
While human infection with rabies is rare — the two most recent Orange County cases were reported in 1957 and 1923 — the disease sometimes turns up in bat populations.
Bats seen in the wild should be left alone, the agency says — even dead bats. Anyone scratched or bitten should see a doctor immediately. Dogs and cats should receive rabies vaccinations, and the agency advises against sleeping with open, unscreened windows or doors.
If a bat turns up in the house, try to close it into a room by itself and call OC Animal Care at 714-935-6848, or your local animal control agency; officers will capture the bat for testing.
As the weather warms, it’s also a good idea to check screens on doors and windows to make sure they are secure against bats, as well as mosquitoes, which can transmit West Nile virus.
Use caulking, netting or mesh to close even small holes larger than 3/8 of an inch.
Orange County is home to a variety of bat species, many that appear to be suffering population declines. Biologist Stephanie Remington, an Orange County bat researcher, says the mere presence of bats in any part of the county does not mean they pose a threat; and positive rabies tests in bats do not mean the risk of rabies has increased.
Post your questions about bats in the comment section of this blog; Remington says she will answer the questions, and we will post the answers here.
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“Three bats have tested positive for rabies in recent months, Orange County Health officials say, and they’re urging residents to avoid touching bats and other wild animals.”
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Thanks for the warning. I’ll remember that next time I have the urge to pet a bat.
People do this stuff just like bird watching.
yeah and it’s good advice in case you have outside dogs or cats…
they could get a bat bite!
Well, there went my plans for this weekend. I was going to take my wife bat touching. Maybe next year…..
Can we get Uncle Obama to send us money for this urgent problem? About $20 billion should cover it, right?
LMAO!
The real problem here as the previous posters fail to recognize is that a bat may infect domestic animals which are kept outdoors such as cats or dogs which may in turn have contact with their owners. The disease is no laughing matter and has a higher rate of human infection in other states where health departments do not advise residents as the Orange County Health Care Agency has taken the time to do. This disease falls in line with other not often seen cross transmuted diseases such as mad cow disease and equine encephalitis.
Additionally small children playing in urban or rural areas and not being watched carefully by their parents or care givers may pick a “cute” dead furry bat found laying on the ground. Likewise cats or dogs. Be vigilant, but not overly cautious – this is just one more expense of care, anguish and pain that can be avoidable.
Thats just batty!
I live in Anaheim, have any bats been seen here? I need to know because I walk my cat at night.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/agency-92853-rabies-bat.html
Around my house a few years ago I used to see bats flying at dusk but now I never see any. Maybe they took their human vampire form.
And then Buffy staked Edward….
The End
Since I haven’t EVER known anyone, let alone heard of anyone, being bitten by a rabid bat, I try not to worry about it too much. There are many more immediate problems that life offers on a daily basis. If I worried about rabid bats on a daily basis, I would be old and gray. As it is, I am just old. I like it that way.
I’m glad to see that Register readers are neither needlessly worried nor inclined to handle bats.
In response to Nina Infante: Yes, there are bats all over the county, including Anaheim – more toward Anaheim Hills than in the city proper, but there’s no need to worry about a bat attacking a cat. It’s the bats that have to worry about the cats, especially when they’re in daily torpor.
What?!?! The Bats at Angels stadium have Rabies?!?!
If you would like to read up on Bats and Rabies, the CDC has a very informative site:
http://www.cdc.gov/RABIES/bats.html
I think bats are so interesting. I have a report due soon in Biology — on bats and read about Stephanie Remington and her knowledge about bats– hopefully she has some info that will help make my report more interesting. Please respond —soon if possible!!!