Bat Tested Positive for Rabies

MADISON, WI, Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - Public Health Madison and Dane County were informed that a bat found near the Blessed Sacrament School tested positive for rabies. The Public Health Department is notifying the public about the bat in case any person(s) or pets may have touched or picked up the bat prior to it being picked up for testing at 2:30pm on September 16, 2008. The bat was located in front of the chain link fence on S. Allen Blvd between Rowley Avenue and Hollister Avenue. Blessed Sacrament School is notifying parents about the infected bat. If you or your pet contacted this bat, please contact your physician. Rabies is a disease that can affect all mammals. Each year over 7,000 animals, most of them wild, are diagnosed as having the disease in the United States. The majority of human rabies cases in the United States have been associated with bat-related virus variants. Limited or insignificant physical contact with rabid bats may cause infection, even without a clear history of an animal bite. Current CDC recommendations state that those suspected of bat contact should be treated with anti-rabies therapy after any situation where a bat is physically present and the person(s) cannot reasonably exclude the possibility of a bite or scratch exposure. Rabies infections can be prevented by avoiding contact with wild animals; especially bats and skunks in Wisconsin and insuring that your pets are vaccinated against rabies. If you suspect that an animal has rabies or for any animal bite, notify Public Health Madison & Dane County at (608) 266-4821. Please check to insure that your pet's rabies vaccinations are current. -END-