BERTHOUD, Colo. — A rabid bat was found at a park in Berthoud on Tuesday, according to a news release from the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment.
A passerby noticed a bat was under a tree in Pioneer Park, which is located at the intersection of Indiana Avenue and East Second Street, and notified a town official, according to the release. The bat was later tested, and results received Thursday confirmed it was positive for rabies, the release said.
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This is the seventh rabid bat found in Larimer County this year, according to the county website's page for rabid animal sightings. In May, rabid bats were found in Arapahoe and El Paso counties. Rabid bats were found in Boulder County in July.
Health officials are asking anyone who had direct contact with a bat in the area of Pioneer Park to contact the health department by calling 970-498-6666. Just having been in the area is not considered an exposure, as rabies is transmitted when the saliva of an infected animal penetrates skin through a bite or scratch, according to the release.
Rabies is a rare but serious disease that is fatal in humans and other mammals after symptom onset, per the release, but receiving treatment promptly after an exposure can prevent a rabies infection.
Health officials remind people to never touch or feed wild animals and make sure their pets' rabies vaccinations are up to date. Anyone who sees a sick or injured wild animal is asked to call NOCO Humane Animal Protection & Control at 970-226-3647 ext. 7.
