Boy Finds Rabid Bat in Costa Mesa Garage

A 15-year-old Costa Mesa boy who found a rabid bat in his garage has been given treatment as precaution and was doing well, police said Tuesday.

The boy found the bat, which was still alive, on the floor of his family's garage in the 2300 block of Vanguard Way on May 5, Costa Mesa police Lt. Greg Scott said. The city's animal control officers were told the boy got it into a box without touching the bat, but two days later his mother called authorities to say he had touched it, Scott said. The bat later tested positive for rabies and the boy was treated for possible exposure to the disease, Scott said.

Four bats have tested positive for rabies in Orange County this year, said Deanne Thompson of the Orange County Health Care Agency. In 2011, 11 of 116, or 9.5 percent, of bats tested by the county had rabies. Last year, 14 of 100 bats, or 14 percent, were rabid, Thompson said. Humans usually contract rabies from an animal bite, Thompson said. It's rare, but the disease can also be transmitted from the saliva of the infected animal.

Bats have tiny teeth so bites may go unnoticed. The teen who found the bat in Costa Mesa is OK, Scott said. When symptoms show the disease is nearly always fatal, according to Thompson.

Residents were advised to avoid contact with wild animals, vaccinate cats and dogs against the disease, do not sleep with open unscreened windows or doors or leave pet food outside, which could attract wild animals. All animal bites should be washed immediately, followed by a visit to the doctor.

-City News Service