Rabid Bat Startles Patrons At San Diego County Restaurant
San Diego County health officials are warning the public after a rabid bat was discovered at a restaurant in Vista, California. While no direct skin contact was reported, officials are urging anyone who touched the animal to seek medical advice immediately.
Why it matters
Rabies is a fatal disease, and public health alerts are essential for preventing exposure and ensuring timely post-exposure treatment.
VISTA, CA — San Diego County public health officials are looking for anyone who may have had contact with a rabid bat found Sunday at a Vista restaurant.
The bat landed on a table at Yellow Deli Restaurant while a family was eating around 1 p.m., according to the county. Another diner used a towel to collect the bat and brought it to the San Diego Humane Society in Oceanside, which transferred it to the County's Public Health Lab, where it tested positive for rabies.
No direct skin contact with the bat has been reported, officials said. Only people who touched or held the bat are considered at risk for rabies exposure.
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