Salt Lake County health officials have issued a public health alert after a bat found in Slc Pioneer Park tested positive for rabies. The Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) was notified of the positive test result by the Utah Public Health Lab on Tuesday, October 1st, following the discovery of the bat on Friday, September 27th.
Animal Services collected the bat from Pioneer Park, where they were informed by individuals believed to be experiencing homelessness that the bat had been handled by members of the unsheltered community, potentially for a prolonged period. This interaction raises concerns about potential rabies exposure among this vulnerable population.
In response, SLCoHD is actively canvassing Pioneer Park to distribute informational flyers and identify individuals who may have had contact with the rabid bat. The goal is to ensure these individuals receive timely preventative medication to avoid rabies infection, a disease that is almost invariably fatal once symptoms manifest. The health department is also collaborating closely with the Fourth Street Clinic, homeless resource centers in the area, and other organizations serving the unsheltered to disseminate information about this situation to those who frequent SLC Pioneer Park.
If you believe you may have touched or been touched by the bat in Pioneer Park, it is crucial to seek immediate medical advice. Please call 385-468-4222 (option 4) to be evaluated for rabies preventive medication. Individuals experiencing homelessness who had potential contact are also advised to visit the Fourth Street Clinic located at 409 West 400 South, or a hospital emergency department, and inform them of the possible bat exposure. Prompt treatment with rabies immunoglobulin after exposure is highly effective in preventing the disease if administered before symptoms appear.
It’s important to understand typical bat behavior. Healthy bats generally avoid human interaction and pose no threat. During daylight hours, they may be found resting on buildings or trees. A bat behaving normally on your property’s exterior is not a cause for alarm, and it is best to leave it undisturbed.
However, bats with rabies can exhibit unusual behaviors. They might venture into unfamiliar areas or be found on the ground. They may also appear weak, dehydrated, or unable to fly, making them seem more approachable than usual. Therefore, caution is always advised.
Should you encounter a bat on the ground or in an unexpected location, remember these safety guidelines:
- Never touch, catch, or attempt to harm the bat.
- Keep children and pets away from the bat.
- Report the bat’s location to your local animal control agency for safe handling and removal.
Utah law protects all bat species due to their vital role in the ecosystem. Bats are essential for pest control, plant pollination, and seed dispersal. Intentionally harming a bat is illegal and detrimental to the environment.
While rabies is not common in bats, it’s impossible to determine if a bat has rabies simply by looking at it. Laboratory testing after the animal’s death is the only way to confirm rabies. Therefore, avoiding contact with all wild animals is the safest approach. Pet owners should also ensure their dogs, cats, and ferrets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations, as required by state law, to protect them should they encounter a rabid animal.
For situations where bats are roosting in attics, it’s recommended to contact a local, permitted wildlife nuisance control company for assistance. These companies will coordinate with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for authorized removal during specific times of the year when bat relocation is permitted.
If a bat enters the living area of your home, contact SLCoHD immediately at 385-468-4222 (option 4) for guidance on rabies prevention medication.
Rabies is a serious viral disease affecting the nervous system of both humans and other mammals. Transmission typically occurs through bites or scratches from a rabid animal. Exposure can also happen if infectious material like saliva or brain tissue from a rabid animal enters the eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. Any wild mammal, including raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, can carry and transmit rabies. In the U.S., bats are the most frequently reported animal with rabies. Bat scratches can be very small and easily overlooked, making any contact with a bat confirmed to have rabies a potential exposure risk.
It is crucial to remember that rabies cannot be transmitted simply by seeing a rabid animal. Feces, blood, and urine are also not routes of rabies transmission.
Symptoms of rabies in humans can be varied and serious, including insomnia, anxiety, confusion, paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, increased salivation, difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Once these clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is almost invariably fatal. Therefore, preventative measures after potential exposure are critical.
