Discovery Of 3rd Rabid Bat Prompts Warning From Pasadena Health Officials

PASADENA, CA — The Pasadena Department of Public Health urged the public to use caution around bats after a third bat tested positive for rabies this year.

The rabid bat was found Oct. 11 on East Green Street between South Marengo and South Euclid avenues in the Civic Center District, where several public activities and events took place last weekend, health officials reported.

While no human rabies cases have been reported this year and the overall risk of contracting rabies is low, health officials advised the public to use caution around bats.

Pasadena health officials said anyone who attended events or was in the area from Oct. 9-11 should consider whether they had direct contact with a bat. However, officials emphasized that simply being in the area or attending an event does not necessarily mean someone was exposed to rabies.

"Anyone who had contact with a bat should speak with their medical provider as soon as possible," Director of Public Health Manuel Carmona said in a statement. "Pet owners who believe their pets may have had contact with the bat should contact an emergency veterinarian."

Health officials said people should never touch bats with bare hands and should report injured, sick or dead bats to animal control or public health authorities.

“Rabies is a life-threatening disease that requires timely preventive medical treatment.," Pasadena Health Officer Dr. Parveen Kaur said in a statement. "To reduce risk, all contact with bats and other wild animals should be strictly avoided. Rabies can be transmitted through a bite or even a scratch from the tooth of an infected animal, posing a risk to both humans and animals."

If skin contact occurs, Kaur advised washing the affected area immediately with soap and water and seeking medical care.

Anyone who sees a dead or dying bat on the ground should avoid touching it and contact the Pasadena Humane Society at 626-792-7151.

More information about rabies is on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.