A live, rabid bat was found on the campus of Fullerton College last week, prompting Orange County Health Care Agency officials today to warn the public about rabies.
The infected bat was found on the east side of the college’s 1100 Building on Friday.
Anyone who might have touched the bat or saw someone else come in contact with the animal was asked to call the agency’s epidemiology department at (714) 834-8180 during business hours, or (714) 834-7792 after hours.
The virus is usually transmitted by a bite as it is in the bat’s saliva. But in rare cases, it can be transmitted through the bat’s saliva into someone’s eyes, mouth or an open sore.
A bat’s teeth are small so a bite may go unnoticed, HCA officials said.
Once someone infected with rabies shows symptoms, it is nearly always deadly, which makes preventive care more urgent.
— City News Service