A bat found Oct. 24, near the Little People’s Park playground at Portola Valley Town Center, has tested positive for rabies, according to San Mateo County Health.
Because there is no treatment for rabies once symptoms appear, County Health officials are asking anyone who had physical contact with the bat to immediately contact their medical provider to determine if the exposure requires further action. People who were not in contact with the bat are not at risk. There are no identified exposed persons or animals.
Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease caused by a virus in the saliva of infected animals. Humans and other animals, including pets, can get rabies if they are bitten by a rabid animal.
In San Mateo County, over the past 11 years, there has been an average of two bats per year that have tested positive for rabies. The last positive test in a bat was in 2023. This year, two bats have tested positive, with a second bat discovered in Half Moon Bay on Oct. 24. Investigators have closed the second case, with no one remaining at risk.
Bats that appear sick, injured or dead should be reported to the Peninsula Humane Society at (650) 340-7022. For additional information about rabies visit the California Department of Public Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.