Public health officials in Orange County have issued a rabies warning following the discovery of a bat at Rancho Santa Margarita Lake. Found last April 17, around 2:30 p.m. near a walking path, the bat later tested positive for the deadly virus. The OC Health Care Agency stressed the importance of awareness and preventative treatment, especially given that rabies in humans, though very rare, is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.
Due to their tiny teeth, bat bites can be easily overlooked, according to the statement obtained by CBS News Los Angeles. Anyone who had contact with, or whose pet may have interacted with the bat, is urged to call the OC Health Care Agency’s Communicable Disease Control Division or their veterinarian as soon as possible. The agency has recommended steps like avoiding wild animals and keeping cats and dogs vaccinated against rabies to reduce the risk.
The local government in Mission Viejo echoed these precautions in a Facebook post, offering reminders such as not sleeping with unscreened windows or doors and cleaning any animal bite wounds with soap and water immediately. They’ve also advised securing houses against bat entries and reporting any exposures to the community’s animal services…