Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor IRWINDALE - Two boys may have come into contact with a bat that was later confirmed to be suffering from rabies at the Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area, county health officials announced Monday. Two unidentified, unaccompanied boys were possibly witnessed prodding the bat with a stick as it lay on a sidewalk near a maintenance office at the dam, 15501 E. Arrow Hwy., August 4. It is unclear if there was direct contact with the bat, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “Any contact whatsoever with a rabid bat is a very serious health concern. Rabies is a fatal disease and requires timely preventive medical treatment,” according to the department of public health. Officials said while the length of time between exposure to rabies and onset of rabies illness is usually three to eight weeks, in some persons it can be considerably longer. “Parents whose children may have been at the Santa Fe Dam during this time are asked to talk with their children to determine if they may have touched the bat,” the department of public health said. “Individuals who touched or may have had contact with this bat should seek medical treatment from their physician immediately.”
Officials stated 41 conformed rabid bats have been found in L.A. County in 2019. If a dead or dying bat is found, do not handle it. Contact a local animal control agency to collect the bat for rabies testing, the department of public health said. Report possible bat bites to people or pets to Veterinary Public Health at 213-288-7060. |
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