A fifth rabid bat has been found in the Lake Merced area, according toa news release from health authorities.
The Department of Public Health has distributed 200 flyers in the area where the most recent rabid bat was found. A copy of the flyer is attached with the press release.
Here are the dates when the rabid bats were found:
- 1. April 18
- 2. May 4
- 3. July 23
- 4. August 1
- 5. August 16
The full release is below, with recommendations on how to handle sick or dead bats (don't):
A dead bat, later found to have rabies, was found on Lake Merced South Hill (middle of the street) near the mail boxes on Thursday August 16, 2012 in the morning at 7:30 a.m.
If you or your pet had contact with any bat around that time, please call the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Communicable Disease Control Unit at (415) 554-2830 as soon as possible. After hours, please follow the prompts to page the on-call physician.
Local
Rabies infection in humans causes coma and death. Rabies immunization can prevent the infection and illness if given as soon as possible after exposure.
Bats live in this area and most do not have rabies. If you find a bat that appears dead, sick or unable to fly, do not touch or handle the bat. Notify Animal Care and Control (ACC) at (415) 554-9400 to capture or retrieve the bat for testing. If found outside your home, in the complex also notify Security Gate Management at (415) 586-3175.
To avoid exposure to rabies:
• Avoid all contact with wild animals; do not touch bats even if appearing dead.
• Put screens on all windows and use chimney caps.
• Do not leave doors or unscreened windows open.
• Place draft-guards beneath doors to attics and ensure that all doors to the outside close tightly.
• Evacuate any room with a live bat and close the door and windows and contact ACC.
• Keep your pets' rabies vaccinations up-to-date.
