FRESNO (KMJ) – A warning from the Fresno County Health Department after a dead bat tested positive for rabies.
The infected bat was found in Downtown Fresno, on July 26th, near the corner of Van Ness and Merced Avenues.
“Bats do on occasion have rabies, and it can be easily transmitted to a human being and if they don’t get the appropriate post-bite or post-scratch prophylaxis, they can be infected with rabies, and that’s virtually 100% fatal. – Dr. Ken Bird, Fresno County Department of Public Health.
Dr. Ken Bird, from the Fresno County Department of Public Health says the symptoms are similar to the flu at first.
“Well, the symptoms usually start out with headaches, fever, myalgia (muscle aches and pains), pretty much like a flu but they progress to paralysis, convulsions, spasms, inability to swallow, and then they go into coma, convulsions and death.” – Dr. Ken Bird, Fresno County Department of Public Health.
Never touch wild animals – dead or alive – because they can transmit the disease, and make sure your pets are current in their vaccinations against rabies.
