Dead bat tests positive for rabies, says Chatham County Health Department

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - A dead bat tested positive for rabies near Highway 80 and Pooler Parkway in Bloomingdale, according to a release published Tuesday afternoon from the Chatham County Health Department’s Environmental Health office.

A resident in the area first found the dead bat on her porch on Wednesday, July 15. The health department said they sent the bat to a public health laboratory for testing, which revealed the bat tested positive for rabies.

There was no known human exposure to the bat, but the positive test serves as an important reminder to avoid contact with unknown animals and make sure pets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations.

Rabies is a deadly virus spread primarily by infected animals, which can also include raccoons and foxes. To protect from rabies:

• Avoid contact with unknown animals.
• Make sure pets receive proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines after 12 weeks, followed by a booster shot within one year and vaccination every one to three years, depending on veterinary recommendations and the vaccine used.
• Do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out at night.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into the home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal services or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn.

Rabies symptoms in animals include a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear of natural enemies, foaming at the mouth and paralysis.

If an animal bites, seek medical care immediately and contact Chatham County Animal Services at 912-652-6575 and the Chatham County Environmental Health office at 912-356-2160.