A routine reach for a shoe in Loxahatchee’s Arden neighborhood turned into a public health scare when a bat hiding inside bit a resident, county officials say. The bat later tested positive for rabies, and the person who was bitten reported the incident and is now receiving rabies post-exposure treatment. Neighbors in the community have been warned to steer clear of wildlife and keep pets secured while public health teams investigate.
Local animal-control response
According to CBS12, the encounter happened near the 600 block of Hookline Circle, and the bat tested positive for rabies on Saturday. The outlet reports that the victim sought medical care and has begun treatment. Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control advised Arden residents to keep pets indoors or within secure fenced areas while the situation is evaluated.
What public-health officials say
State guidance notes that bats are one of the primary wildlife sources of rabies in Florida and that any potential exposure should be taken seriously, even when bites are small or hard to see, according to the Florida Department of Health. Officials say that if you think you were exposed, you should immediately wash wounds with soap and water and contact a healthcare provider and the county health department to decide whether post-exposure prophylaxis is needed.
Pet vaccines and county services
Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control offers low-cost rabies vaccinations and posts walk-in hours at its shelter, the county site notes. The agency also responds to calls about suspicious wildlife. Residents are urged to call Animal Care & Control at (561) 233-1200 if they see an animal acting strangely or need help with bat testing and removal.
How to reduce risk
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that bats are often the source of human rabies cases in the United States, and that people who wake up to find a bat in a room or who have any direct contact with a bat should seek medical advice even if there is no obvious bite, per the CDC. Public health officials say bat-proofing homes, keeping pets current on rabies vaccinations, and refusing to handle wildlife are straightforward ways to reduce exposure risk.
This latest detection is a reminder that rabies is still present in local wildlife. Officials emphasize that prompt medical care can prevent rabies from developing and that reporting incidents quickly helps public health teams respond effectively. For the initial reporting on the Arden incident see CBS12.
