Bat Found

Health Department Responds to Report of Bat Found July 10 Inside Public Facility
-All Residents Advised to Avoid Wildlife to Prevent Rabies Exposure –

July 14, 2006

It was reported to the Fairfax County Health Department July 13 that a bat was found on July 10 in the child care area of the Gold’s Gym located at 7700 Gunston Plaza, in the Lorton area of Fairfax County. The bat was not available for rabies testing.

The Health Department visited the establishment July 13 to begin an investigation, and today began contacting parents of children who were at the gym on July 10. At this time, the Health Department has identified the children who may have been exposed. For these children, post-exposure prophylactic treatment is being recommended to prevent possible rabies infection. The treatment includes Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) and rabies vaccine, which is given in five treatments on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28.

“When rabies status cannot be determined, the Health Department errs on the side of caution. Rabies is a fatal disease if untreated. We take any possible exposure very seriously,” said Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., health director. “This situation is an important reminder to avoid contact with wildlife, including bats, and stray animals.”

The Health Department is continuing its investigation and, to date, has not received additional reports of bats inside the child care facility. The Health Department will notify any other staff, parents or gym members if it is determined they may have been exposed.

Rabies is common in this region, and is most often seen in fox, raccoons, bats and cats. In 2005, the Health Department confirmed 44 cases of rabies in Fairfax County, including 6 bats, 2 cats, 1 dog, 5 fox, 1 groundhog, 25 raccoons, and 4 skunks.

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. People get rabies from the bite of an animal with rabies (a rabid animal). Any wild mammal, like a raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote, or bat, can have rabies and transmit it to people. It is also possible, but quite rare, that people may get rabies if infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into the eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.

If a bat is found indoors and you are sure no human or pet exposure has occurred, confine the bat to a room by closing all doors and windows leading out of the room except those to the outside. The bat will probably leave soon.

If you cannot rule out the possibility of exposure (such as awakening to find a bat in your room, seeing a bat in the room of an unattended child, or seeing a bat near a mentally impaired or intoxicated person), leave the bat alone and do not let it go. Contact your local animal control authority for assistance. If professional help is not available, take precautions to capture the bat safely, as described below:

• when the bat lands, approach it slowly, while wearing leather work gloves
• place a small box or coffee can over the bat
• slide a piece of cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside
• tape the cardboard to the container securely
• contact your local animal control authority to make arrangements for rabies testing

Gym members who want additional information can call 703-246-8670, TTY 703-591-6435, and leave a message. Health Department staff will be monitoring the phone line and returning phone calls throughout the weekend.

FACT SHEET: Rabies and Bats

To request this information in an alternate format, call the Health Department at 703-246-2411 or TTY 703-591-6435.