Bat found at Irvington Community Center has tested positive for rabies.
On Saturday, March 7, 2015, Fremont Animal Services responded to the Irvington Community Center, located at 41885 Blacow Rd., on the report of a dead bat. The bat was safely removed from the property and delivered to the Alameda County Public Health Care Services Agency. The agency tested the bat for rabies and notified us that the results were positive.
At this time we are treating the incident as an isolated case and are not aware of any other reports of wildlife infected with the virus in our City. While unusual, it is not completely uncommon for our area to have rabid bat cases from time to time.
Today, Alameda County Vector Control Services has been out canvassing the area around the community center and alerting adjacent residents of the incident. If any person or pet touched this recent bat at or near the Irvington Community Center on Friday or Saturday of last week, they may have been exposed to rabies. Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that affects the brain and nervous system. It can be prevented if the exposed person or animal receives a series of rabies vaccine shots as soon as possible after the exposures. Anyone who touched or may have been bitten by this bat should call the Alameda County Public Health Department at 510-257-3250, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and also see a health care provider. Anyone whose pet touched this bat should call Fremont Animal Services at 510-790-6630 as well as their veterinarian.
Humans and pets should avoid contact with bats and other wild animals that may carry rabies, such as skunks, foxes, coyotes, badgers, weasels and raccoons. Dogs and cats not vaccinated for rabies are also considered to be at medium to high risk for carrying the virus. If an ill or dead animal is found, do not touch it. In addition, if you witness an animal which is normally nocturnal during the daylight, acting in a strange manner (i.e. a skunk roaming or staggering, a bat hanging on a window screen or sill or a fox acting aggressive, etc.), it should also be reported to Animal Services or the Alameda County Public Health Department.
Here are a few preventative measures you can take to reduce your risk:
- Have dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies.
- Confine dogs to property, especially puppies less than four months of age.
- Report any animal bites of humans.
- Report any close contact between dogs and cats with wild animals to Animal Services.
- Do not feed wild animals by hand.
- Do not come in close contact or attempt to care for a sick or injured animal.
- Do not attract skunks with food. Pet food left outside is a strong invitation to skunks and other animals.
- Eliminate piles of trash, rocks, wood, hollow logs and heavy growth of vegetation where wild animals could hide.
- Do not provide shelter for bats. Close, seal and screen all openings to your home, attic and roof. Install screens on all attic vents and maintain in good repair.
To report dead or sick wildlife, please call Fremont Animal Services at 510-790-6630 or Fremont Police Dispatch (after hours) at 510-790-6800 and select option 3. For any human exposure or public health concerns, please call the Alameda County Public Health Care Agency at 510-257-3250.
Address/Location
Fremont Police Department (CA)
2000 Stevenson Blvd
Fremont, CA 94538
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 510-790-6800
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