Salt Lake County residents are being alerted to a public health concern following the confirmation of rabies in a bat found at Pioneer Park In Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) was notified on Tuesday, October 1st, that a bat collected from Pioneer Park on Friday, September 27th, tested positive for the rabies virus.
Animal Services had retrieved the bat from Pioneer Park after being informed by individuals experiencing homelessness that members of the unsheltered community might have handled the bat, possibly for an extended duration. In response to this potential exposure, SLCoHD is actively working to inform and protect the public.
Health officials canvassed Pioneer Park this afternoon, distributing informational flyers to alert park visitors and locate anyone who may have had physical contact with the rabid bat. The goal is to ensure these individuals receive timely preventive medication to avoid rabies infection. SLCoHD is also collaborating closely with the Fourth Street Clinic, local homeless resource centers, and other organizations that serve the unsheltered population to disseminate information about the situation to those who frequent Pioneer Park.
If you believe you touched or were touched by a bat at Pioneer Park, it is crucial to call 385-468-4222 (option 4) immediately to be evaluated for rabies preventive medication. For individuals experiencing homelessness who may have had bat contact, you can also seek immediate assistance at the Fourth Street Clinic (409 West 400 South) or visit a hospital emergency department. When seeking medical help, it is vital to inform healthcare providers about your potential contact with a bat. Post-exposure treatment with rabies immunoglobulin is highly effective in preventing the disease if administered promptly, before symptoms appear.
Understanding bat behavior is key to preventing potential exposure. Healthy bats typically avoid human interaction and do not pose a threat. During daylight hours, it is common to see them roosting upside down on buildings or in trees. A bat behaving normally on the exterior of a home is generally not a cause for concern, and it is best to leave it undisturbed.
However, bats infected with rabies may exhibit unusual behaviors. This can include venturing into areas they would normally avoid or spending time on the ground. They may also appear weak, dehydrated, or unable to fly, which can make them seem more approachable than usual.
If you encounter a bat on the ground or in an unexpected location, remember these important guidelines:
- Never touch, catch, or harm the bat.
- Keep children and pets away from the bat.
- Report the bat’s location to your local animal control agency. You can find a list of local agencies at local animal control agency.
It’s important to note that Utah law protects all bat species. Intentionally harming a bat is illegal due to their vital role in the ecosystem. Bats are essential for pest control, plant pollination, and seed dispersal.
While only a small percentage of bats carry rabies, it is crucial to avoid contact with all wild animals. Rabies can only be confirmed through laboratory testing after an animal’s death. Protecting pets is also important; Utah state law requires dogs, cats, and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies to ensure their safety if they encounter a rabid animal.
If you find a bat roosting in your attic and need assistance with removal, contact a permitted wildlife nuisance control company in your area. These companies will coordinate with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to ensure bat removal is conducted legally and at appropriate times of the year.
If a bat has entered the living area of your home, contact SLCoHD immediately at 385-468-4222 (option 4) to assess the need for rabies prevention medication.
Rabies is a serious viral disease that affects the nervous system of both humans and other mammals. Transmission typically occurs through a bite or scratch from a rabid animal. It is also possible to contract rabies if infectious material, such as saliva or brain tissue from a rabid animal, comes into contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. Any wild mammal, including raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, can potentially carry and transmit rabies. In the United States, bats are the most frequently reported animal with rabies. Bat scratches can sometimes be very small and go unnoticed, which is why any contact with a bat confirmed to have rabies is considered a potential exposure.
It is important to clarify that you cannot get rabies simply from being near a rabid animal. Rabies is not transmitted through feces, blood, or urine.
The symptoms of rabies in humans can be severe and include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, partial paralysis, agitation, hallucinations, increased salivation, difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is almost always fatal.
Stay vigilant in Pioneer Park and surrounding areas, and remember to take precautions to avoid contact with bats and other wild animals. Public health officials are working diligently to ensure the safety of the community following this incident at Pioneer Park in Salt Lake City.
