Health authorities in Minneapolis are investigating an incident involving a rabid bat found on a sidewalk on Hennepin Avenue. A woman, described as being between 25 and 30 years old, was seen placing the struggling bat into a bag before handing it to an individual for testing. After the bat died, testing confirmed it was positive for rabies.
The Minnesota Department of Health had been searching for the woman until she contacted them six days after the bat was discovered. Officials noted that bat bites can be tiny, painless, and nearly undetectable, making it difficult to know if contact occurred.
Experts advise that anyone who may have had contact with the bat should consult a healthcare provider immediately. While the rabies virus is fatal once symptoms appear, a five-dose vaccine regimen is highly effective at preventing death if administered early.
Entities
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Minnesota Department of Health · West Central District Health Department