Ryan Bitan and Scott Lewis
2 hours ago
Courtesy of Weber Morgan Health Department.
Ogden, Utah (ABC4) – A bat found on Ogden Road has tested positive for rabies, according to Weber Morgan Health Department
Officials say the bat was found on a road in the area of the Ogden Botanical Gardens, located at 1750 Monroe Avenue.
Officials say if you or your pet came into contact with bats between Sept. 8 and Sept. 13, please contact the Weber-Morgan Health Department at 801-430-8390. According to the department, rabies is 100% fatal and can be spread through contact with bats.
Rabies is a viral disease Which affects the nervous system of humans and other animals. People cannot contract rabies simply by seeing a rabid animal, and it cannot be transmitted through feces, blood, or urine. Rabies can be transmitted through infectious materials, such as saliva, through the eyes, nose, mouth, or through an open wound.
According to SLCoHD, a small percentage of bats actually carry rabies. Officials say healthy bats usually avoid people and pose no threat to humans. During the day, it is normal to see these bats hanging upside down on buildings and trees.
However, bats infected with rabies may behave unusually. Infected bats may go to areas they would normally avoid and spend more time on the ground, SLCoHD said. Rabies may also be approached more closely than usual, as they may also be weak, dehydrated or unable to fly.
Harming bats is illegal in Utah as all bat species are protected under Utah law. Bats are essential to the Salt Lake Valley ecosystem by providing pest control, seed dispersal and plant pollination, SLCoHD said. The Salt Lake Valley is said to be home to many species of bats, and some other species often migrate through the area.
If you find a bat roosting in your home or acting normally and not posing a threat, SLCoHD has advised that you should leave the bat alone. If the bat is roosting in your home, such as in your attic, contact your local nuisance control agency who will then coordinate with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to remove it.
Health officials say if you find a bat on the ground or in an unusual place, you should not touch it and keep children and pets away from it. Bats can be reported to your local animal control agency.