A bat tested positive for rabies after being found at Fullerton College last week, health officials in Orange County said Thursday.
The animal was near the school’s music building on the corner of East Chapman Avenue and North Lemon Street last Friday at around 3:30 p.m., according to the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA).
Those who may have been in contact with the bat are asked to call the agency’s Communicable Disease Control Division at 714-834-8180. The HCA said pet owners who think their pet may have been exposed should reach out to their veterinarian.
Rabies is a virus that can be transmitted to people through a rabid animal’s saliva when it bites someone, or sometimes when the saliva comes into contact with someone’s eyes, mouth or an open wound, according to the health officials.
Because bats have small teeth, their bites may go unnoticed. However, once someone shows symptoms of rabies, the disease is often deadly, making preventative treatment for anyone exposed very important.
Health officials recommend the following precautions:
- Avoid contact with wild animals.
- Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies.
- Close all doors and windows before sleeping.
- Don’t leave pet food outside.
The agency said if a bat is inside your house, close off the area and contact OC Animal Care at 714-935-6848. If you get bitten, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water before contacting your doctor.