A rabid bat was found near the entrance of a northeast-side library June 27, and county officials are asking that anyone who may have come in contact with the bat to notify the health department.
On Tuesday at about 11:30 a.m., the bat was found at Kirk-Bear Canyon Library at 8959 E. Tanque Verde Road, said Julia Flannery, a Pima County Health Department spokeswoman.
It is not known how long the bat was in the area, said Flannery in a news release Friday, June 30. She said officials do not know of any human or animal contact with the bat.
Health department staff "are here to help make sure you and your family are not at risk of getting rabies," states the release.
In Southern Arizona, bats and skunks are the wild animals in which rabies virus is most often found, officials said. "While these animals are an important part of our desert surroundings and very interesting animals, they, along with other wildlife, can carry disease or may injure people or pets when they are sick or feel threatened," said authorities.
Flannery said children need to know that they must avoid animals they find near their home or at school.
Officials also recommend that wild animals should not be approached, and pets should be protected. Also, do not touch a bat or any other wildlife acting oddly or on the ground. Report wildlife acting strange to Pima Animal Care Center at 724-5900.
If a person comes in contact with an unknown animal, call the health department at 724-7797.Β
