LAKE WALES, Florida — The first rabies case of the year in Polk County has been confirmed after a bat tested positive in Lake Wales.
On March 21, 2026, a resident in the 1700 block of Masterpiece Road discovered their dog standing over a bat in the yard, uncertain if the dog had interacted with the bat. The bat was impounded and sent to the State Laboratory in Tampa, where test results received on March 25 confirmed the presence of rabies, according to a press release from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The dog will remain under quarantine at the family home. Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “Rabies is a deadly disease, and we urge everyone to stay alert and avoid contact with stray or wild animals acting strangely. If you see something suspicious, call us, don’t take chances with your health.”…