The Eau Claire City-County Health Department is warning the public about a rabid bat found on Wednesday, September 25 near the intersection of La Salle and Peterson Streets in Eau Claire. The bat was found crawling on the ground, unable to fly.
Anyone who may have been exposed to this bat should seek immediate medical attention.
“Rabies is still considered the deadliest disease known to humans. It is also completely preventable with prompt medical treatment,” said Savannah Bergman, Microbiologist and Rabies Program Lead for the Eau Claire City-County Health Department.
An exposure to rabies includes:
- A bite from any animal, including wild, stray, or a domestic pet.
- Saliva or brain tissue from an animal that gets into a person’s scratch, wound, or mucous membrane (like eyes or a nose).
A possible exposure to rabies includes:
- A bat found in a room with an unattended child; a person with an intellectual or cognitive disability; an intoxicated person; or anyone who’s been sleeping.
- A bat found in firewood that was hand-carried into the home.
These are situations that are not exposures to rabies:
- A bat flying nearby.
- A bat seen in your attic or a cave.
- Being in the same area as a questionable animal if you don’t have any contact with the animal.
Federal and state health authorities consider bats to be high risk for carrying rabies. If you have an exposure or possible exposure to a bat, immediately report it to your doctor and to the Health Department (call 715-839-4718).
