The residents in California have been put on a high alert after a bat found near a public sidewalk tested positive for rabies, reports The Sun. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the brain and nervous system. Authorities said the animal was discovered in South Fremont, close to an area regularly used by pedestrians and pets.
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Bat Found in Area Used by Residents and Pets
The bat was located on May 26 near Palo Verde Common in Fremont's Warm Springs area in California neighbourhood. According to local officials, it was found "within reachable distance of pedestrians and animals," raising concerns about possible exposure risks. The animal was later collected and tested by Alameda County Vector Control, which confirmed it was infected with rabies.
Health teams have since distributed warning notices in the surrounding neighbourhood and launched an investigation into the incident. So far, no human or animal exposures have been reported.
Police Issue Public Warning
Following the positive test result, officials urged residents to avoid touching bats or other wild animals, whether alive or dead. "Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that affects the brain and nervous system," police said in a public warning.
Officials added that the disease can be prevented if treatment begins quickly after exposure. Authorities advised anyone who believes they may have come into contact with the bat to seek medical attention immediately.
Why Rabies Cases Involving Bats Are Taken Seriously
Public health experts say bat-related rabies cases receive special attention because bat bites can sometimes go unnoticed due to their small teeth. In the United States, most recent human rabies infections have been linked to bat strains of the virus. Once symptoms begin, the disease is almost always fatal.
Rabies spreads mainly through infected saliva, usually after a bite or scratch from an infected animal. In rare cases, the virus can enter the body through the eyes, mouth, or open wounds.
Residents Asked to Stay Alert
Officials are encouraging people to keep pets vaccinated, avoid direct contact with wildlife, and report any sick, injured, or unusually behaving animals to local authorities.
The Fremont incident is not the only recent rabies-related case reported in California. Health agencies have also issued warnings after rabid bats were discovered at parks and public locations in Orange County earlier this year.
What To Do If You Spot a Bat
Health officials recommend:
Never touching a bat with bare hands
Keeping children and pets away from the animal
Contacting animal control or vector control services
Seeking medical advice immediately if physical contact may have occurred
Experts say prompt treatment after exposure is highly effective, making quick action critical in preventing infection.
