Bat found near Fremont sidewalk tests positive for rabies, officials say

A bat found May 26 near Palo Verde Common in South Fremont tested positive for rabies, Alameda County Vector Control confirmed Thursday. The Fremont Police Department said the bat was located close to a sidewalk and “within reachable distance of pedestrians and animals.”

The agency said it is investigating the incident and that there are currently no known human or animal exposures linked to the bat. Residents in the area have been notified about the finding and the risks associated with rabies, officials said.

The Fremont Police Department warned that “rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that affects the brain and nervous system,” and that “it is preventable if the exposed person or animal receives a series of rabies vaccine shots as soon as possible after exposure,” according to a news release.

Authorities advised anyone who may have touched or been bitten by the bat to contact the Alameda County Public Health Acute Communicable Disease Program at 510-267-3250 and seek immediate medical attention. Officials also urged residents to avoid contact with bats and other wild animals that may carry rabies, including skunks, foxes, coyotes and raccoons.

The police release added that “unvaccinated dogs and cats are considered to be at medium to high risk of contracting and potentially spreading the rabies virus,” and warned people not to handle bats found in homes or yards. Officials recommended keeping pets vaccinated, confining them to property, removing outdoor food sources that attract wildlife and reporting sick or unusually behaving animals to Fremont Animal Services or the Alameda County Public Health Department.

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