With a doubling of rabid bats recorded this year, Los Angeles County health officials are reminding all residents to avoid touching any wild animals, especially bats.
To date this year, 21 rabid bats have been detected countywide, compared to an average of 10 per year, officials said.
"The reason for the increase ... is unclear. Regardless, it is important that all county residents understand the potential dangers ... as most of these rabid bats have been found in and around homes," said Jonathan E. Fielding, Director of Public Health and Health Officer.
"Make sure that children know to leave bats and other wildlife alone, and keep pets away from wild animals," he added. "If you see a sick bat or other sick animal, contact your local animal control agency."
Rabies is a serious viral disease that affects the central nervous system, ultimately causing brain disease and death. Symptoms may include fever, weakness, confusion, anxiety, partial paralysis and an increase in saliva. Rabies is transmitted through the bite or saliva of an infected animal. The majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.
Dogs and cats with current vaccines that have come into contact with rabid animals may be re-vaccinated. For more details, call 213.989-7060.
More information about rabies and rabid bats is available on the Public Health's website at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/rabies.htm.
OTHER CONTACTS
City of Long Beach
Animal Care Services
7700 E. Spring Street
Long Beach, CA 90815
animalcare@longbeach.gov
(562) 570-PETS (7387)
www.longbeach.gov/acs
To date this year, 21 rabid bats have been detected countywide, compared to an average of 10 per year, officials said.
"The reason for the increase ... is unclear. Regardless, it is important that all county residents understand the potential dangers ... as most of these rabid bats have been found in and around homes," said Jonathan E. Fielding, Director of Public Health and Health Officer.
"Make sure that children know to leave bats and other wildlife alone, and keep pets away from wild animals," he added. "If you see a sick bat or other sick animal, contact your local animal control agency."
Rabies is a serious viral disease that affects the central nervous system, ultimately causing brain disease and death. Symptoms may include fever, weakness, confusion, anxiety, partial paralysis and an increase in saliva. Rabies is transmitted through the bite or saliva of an infected animal. The majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.
Dogs and cats with current vaccines that have come into contact with rabid animals may be re-vaccinated. For more details, call 213.989-7060.
More information about rabies and rabid bats is available on the Public Health's website at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/rabies.htm.
OTHER CONTACTS
City of Long Beach
Animal Care Services
7700 E. Spring Street
Long Beach, CA 90815
animalcare@longbeach.gov
(562) 570-PETS (7387)
www.longbeach.gov/acs
Joe Segura, a mild-mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper, has covered Gotham City, er Long Beach, for 34 years. During his very, very long -- endless -- tenure, he's covered almost every beat, and he was the main writer for BeachWeek, which focused on life and lifestyles of the shoreline communities from downtown Long Beach to the Huntington Beach pier.
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