County Vector Control Reports Rabid Bat Found in Tri-Valley

The Alameda County Vector Control Services District reports that a bat testing positive for rabies was found in a residential yard near Fairlands Park in Pleasanton on September 25. The finding marks the third rabid bat found in the city this year, and the 13th in Alameda County. Rabid bats were also detected in Fremont, Sunol, Livermore, and San Leandro.

“This has been a record year for rabid bats, surpassing the previous record from 1999, when nine rabid bats were found throughout the County in that entire year,” noted Daniel Wilson, Community Relations Coordinator for the District.

Wilson added that the District can only speculate about the reasons such high numbers of bats have been detected, since this is is a passive surveillance based on bats reported by the public. Stress in the environment as a result of the drought and previous warm winter are among the reasons that have been considered.

Handling wild animals, especially animals that are acting strangely—seemingly ill, are potential high-risk contacts for rabies transmission. Even if not bitten or scratched, contact with the saliva infected with the rabies virus can be acquired through skin abrasions or mucus membrane. For this reason, anyone who had this type of contact should be seen by a physician and possibly begin anti-rabies post exposure treatment. Rabies is virtually fatal once the infection begins, but timely post-exposure treatment can effectively halt the infection.

The periodic discovery of rabid animals (mostly bats) in Alameda County also reinforces the need to keep your pets’ rabies vaccination up-to-date. The District encourages anyone who notice a suspicious situation involving wildlife, foxes, ferrets or cats and dogs to call them at (510) 567-6800 Monday through Friday, or contact your local Animal Control Services on the weekends.

For more information, you can also visit the District’s Facebook page.

--By Alameda County Vector Control Services District

--Photo by Daniel Wilson