County health officials are looking for anyone who may have touched a dead bat Monday at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in North County. It tested positive for rabies.
“The bat was found dead at 10:25 a.m. … at the Oasis Deli in Nairobi Village and was collected by a trained park volunteer,” the county said Wednesday. “No human contact with the bat has been reported at this time.”
Anyone who had contact with the bat is urged to contact the county’s Health and Human Services Agency as soon as possible at (619) 692-8499.
The bat was not one of the park’s animals, official said, but was one of 10 rabid bats found in San Diego County so far this year.
“Human rabies is usually fatal without prompt post-exposure vaccine and treatment,” said Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, deputy public health officer.
“There has been no reported human or animal contact with this bat, but it was found in an area where many park visitors pass by, and we want to make sure that no one had contact with it.”
Rabies transmission can occur from a bat bite or if a bat’s saliva comes in contact with a cut or abrasion, or with mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose or mouth, officials said.
“People should always stay away from bats and other wild animals to prevent possible exposure to rabies,” Thihalolipavan said. “If you see a bat, dead or alive, don’t touch it.”
