Health officials have issued a warning in Salt Lake County, Utah, after two bats tested positive for rabies and hundreds infiltrated a school. The bats were found in different locations, one in Midvale and the other at Smith Field Park in Draper. The Salt Lake County Health Department has urged parents whose children regularly go to the park to ask their kids about encountering a bat and to contact the department if there was any contact with the bats.
The health officials recommended that the two individuals who encountered the bat in Midvale should receive rabies prevention medication. Rabies symptoms in humans include insomnia, anxiety, paralysis, hallucinations, difficulty swallowing, and a fear of water. Once symptoms are observed, the disease is considered 100% fatal.
In another incident, hundreds of bats were discovered in and around campus buildings at Highland High School in Salt Lake City. A teacher reported hearing rattling in the air conditioning and upon inspection, a nest was found inside the HVAC unit. Although healthy bats do not pose a threat to humans, rabid bats may behave erratically and be found in unusual areas.
Officials have advised individuals who come across bats in unexpected locations to report it to local animal control and to avoid trying to catch or harm the bats. It is also important to keep children and pets away from them.
State law in Utah prohibits intentionally harming bats due to their valuable role in the ecosystem. They are considered an essential part of the state’s ecosystem.