Bat Tests Positive for Rabies in Bloomingdale Area

The Chatham County Health Department’s Environmental Health office is alerting the community that a bat has tested positive for rabies. This is an important reminder to avoid contact with unknown animals and make sure your pets are up to date on rabies vaccinations.

A resident in an area near Highway 80 and Pooler Parkway in Bloomingdale reported finding a dead bat on her porch July 15. The health department sent the bat for testing at the public health laboratory, and the animal tested positive for rabies. There is no known human exposure to the infected bat.

Several species of wild animals in our area can carry rabies, including raccoons, foxes, and bats. Rabies is a potentially deadly virus that is primarily spread by infected animals. The following tips can protect you and your family from rabies:

• Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
• Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines after 12 weeks of age, followed by a booster shot within one year and vaccination every 1-3 years depending on veterinary recommendation and 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 your 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.

Symptoms of rabies in animals include a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear of natural enemies (such as humans), foaming at the mouth, and paralysis. If an animal ever bites you, 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.