Wednesday, Sept. 28, the Garland Health Department received notification of a laboratory confirmed case of rabies in a bat. The animal was found in the vicinity of Firewheel Town Center Sept. 24. The health department does believe that there was an exposure. However, they have not been able to identify the person. If you or anyone else may have come into contact with a bat around that date and location, please contact Garland Animal Services immediately. This is the first laboratory confirmed case of rabies in an animal in Garland this year.
The rabies virus is relatively rare in North America. It is occasionally found in wild or domesticated animals including, but not limited to, dogs, coyotes, skunks, foxes, raccoons and bats. Infection of humans can occur if virus-laden saliva from a rabid animal is introduced through a bite, scratch or mucus membrane (such as the nose). Without treatment, infection is almost invariably fatal.
To reduce the community’s risk to rabies, residents should regularly vaccinate their pets. In addition, residents should report any pet or wild animal exhibiting erratic or abnormal behavior to Garland Animal Services. If you have questions or need to report a potential exposure to the rabid bat, please contact Garland Animal Services at 972-205-3570.
Information provided by city of Garland.