Rabid bat confirmed in Lee County

The Lee County Health Department has confirmed the presence of rabies in a local bat. The animal was found in the Whiskey Creek area last week, and testing confirmed rabies over the weekend. Rabies can be confirmed only through laboratory analysis.

To date, seven individuals with known exposure to the rabid bat are undergoing propylactic immunization. This consists of a series of six shots (at a patient cost of $1200 - $1500) over a four week period.

Rabies is a fatal, infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system. Most recent human rabies cases in the United States have been caused by bats. People get rabies from contact with a rabid animal's saliva getting directly into their eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.

Any bat that is active by day, is found in a place where bats are not usually seen (for example, in a room in your home or on the lawn), or is unable to fly, is far more likely than others to be rabid.

Never pick up, handle or approach bats.