According to Daily Reuters, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium reported that one of the 186 participants in an overnight campout at the facility on July 4, saw a wild bat fly around her head.
A zoo emergency medical official stated that there were no scratches or bites on the camper. However, seven wild bats were found in the aquarium by the zoo. One of them tested positive for Rabies.
According to the Associated Press, all seven bats were euthanized.
The zoo now pays for campers to have rabies shots and offers refunds for those who participate in camping events.
The zoo recommends that guests receive rabies shots, based on advice from both the Nebraska State Veterinarian as the Nebraska Department of Health.
Sarah Woodhouse, the director of animal health at the zoo, said to AP that it is not uncommon for wild bats to get rabies. This is why you shouldn’t touch wild bats directly.
She explained that the bats she identified were Little brown bats. This is a common species of bat in Nebraska and anyone can find them in their yard or attic.
According to the AP, the zoo stated that it had not found any bats at the aquarium but decided to relocate all overnight camping events to a separate section of the zoo while workers investigate how they got in.
The Hill reached out to Omaha Zoo for more information.
The following is an extract from the
Sarah Woodhouse, the director of animal health at the zoo, said to AP that it is not uncommon for wild bats to get rabies. This is why you shouldn’t touch wild bats directly.
She explained that the bats she identified were Little brown bats. This is a common species of bat in Nebraska and anyone can find them in their yard or attic.
According to the AP, the zoo stated that it had not found any bats at the aquarium but decided to relocate all overnight camping events to a separate section of the zoo while workers investigate how they got in.
The Hill reached out to Omaha Zoo for more information.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that most bats don’t have rabies. However, “any bat active by day or found in a location where bats are not normally seen like your home or lawn might be rabid.”
“There are only one or two cases of human rabies each year in the United States. The most common way for people in the United States to contract rabies is by coming in contact with a bat,” the CDC states. They also recommend that people avoid contact with bats or other “unfamiliar” animals.
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Although most bats don’t have rabies but, “any bat active by day or found in a location where bats are not normally seen, like your home or lawn, it could be rabid.”
“There are only one or two cases of human rabies each year in the United States. The most common way for people in the United States to contract rabies is by coming in contact with a bat,” states the CDC. They also recommend that people avoid contact with bats or other “unfamiliar” animals and that they be prevented from entering homes and other areas where they might come in contact with pets and people.