A bat exhibiting abnormal behavior and later found in a Portage park has tested positive for rabies, sparking a public health warning from Kalamazoo County officials. The bat was discovered on the ground on Saturday at Ramona Park, and its unusual behavior prompted a public park-goer to contain it and seek animal control services, FOX 17 Online reported.
Soon after, the county's health department verified the presence of the rabies virus. Kalamazoo County Health Officer Jim Rutherford stressed the importance of avoiding direct contact with bats and added, "Anyone who may have been in contact with a bat at Ramona Park recently should notify our office so we can discuss the next steps." This recommendation came because rabies, a deadly virus, affects all mammals, including humans, once symptoms manifest, according to a press release detailed by WWMT.
In response to this incident, public health officials have issued guidance on how to minimize rabies exposure risks which includes reporting any wildlife or unfamiliar animal encounters, particularly ones involving bites or scratches, to the local health department and personal physician, enjoying wildlife from a safe distance, ensuring pet vaccinations against rabies are up to date, and avoiding practices that can attract wild animals such as leaving garbage uncovered, as stated in recommendations from the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department, which WOODTV shared.
Kalamazoo County officials urge anyone who sees an animal that may be rabid or believes they have been exposed to rabies to immediately contact Animal Services & Enforcement at 269.383.8775 or the HCS Communicable Disease team at 269.373.5044, respectively.
