This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Two bats in Utah County have tested positive for rabies, and health officials are warning residents to avoid wild animals.
The county's Health Department announced the finding Monday, adding that there were two human rabies exposures in the area as well.
"If you find yourself in close proximity to a bat, dead or alive, do not touch, hit or destroy it and do not try to remove it from your home," said Steve Mickelson, the department's nursing director.
Instead, Mickelson added that residents should call the local animal control office so the bat can be tested. They also should call the local health department to "report the exposure and determine if preventative treatment is needed."
The rabies virus affects the central nervous system. Symptoms include headache, discomfort and fever but the disease can lead to death if not treated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
People can become infected if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, a possibility that increases this time of year because bats are migrating.
Utah County health officials recommend residents keep their pets up-to-date on rabies vaccinations, have animal control remove stray animals near the home and avoid touching or feeding wild animals. Residents also should tightly close garbage cans and pick up litter to avoid attracting wild animals.
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