SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – A bat found in southwestern Chatham County has tested positive for rabies, according to the Chatham County Health Department’s Environmental Health office.
The health department is reminding the community to avoid contact with unknown animals and make sure pets are up to date on rabies vaccinations.
What happened
The dead bat was found Sept. 17 outside a home near Quacco Road and Highway 17 after possibly interacting with a pet cat. The bat was sent to a public health laboratory and tested positive for rabies on Sept. 21.
There was no known human exposure to the infected bat, and health officials said the pet cat at the property is up to date on its rabies vaccination.
About rabies
Rabies is a deadly virus primarily spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Several species of wild animals in the area can carry rabies, including raccoons, foxes and bats.
Prevention tips
The health department recommends the following to protect against rabies:
- Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
- Make sure pets receive 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 one to three 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 licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
- Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
Symptoms and what to do
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…