MONTEREY COUNTY — A Mexican free-tailed bat found on Sept. 29 in the Cachagua area of unincorporated Monterey County has tested positive for the rabies virus.
Hitchcock Road Animal Services investigated this incident and determined that there was exposure to owned pets. Those pets that were exposed have been placed under quarantine. The County of Monterey Health Department has not identified any potential human exposure at this time.
Rabies is a virus that causes a fatal illness in humans and other mammals. The County of Monterey Health Department and Hitchcock Road Animal Services want to remind residents and visitors that there is a continuous presence of rabies in local wildlife, both inside and outside of local cities.
In Monterey County, skunks and bats are the most common species to test positive for the virus. Domestic animals, including companion dogs and cats, are at increased risk for rabies exposure when they interact with wildlife, especially if they are not protected by a rabies vaccination. Pet owners are encouraged to visit their veterinarian with their pets on a regular basis and keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all dogs and cats.
Public health and animal control officials recommend the following precautions:
- Keep cats and dogs current on their rabies virus vaccinations;
- Owners should avoid leaving their pets outside unattended, particularly at dawn and dusk when wildlife can be most active;
- Owners of domestic livestock species such as horses, sheep, goats, pigs and cattle should discuss rabies vaccinations with their animals’ veterinarian as these species are also susceptible to rabies infections from rabid wild animals;
- Residents should avoid leaving pet food and water outside because it encourages wildlife activity around the home;
- People should avoid contact with wildlife, particularly skunks and bats at all times. Do not touch or approach animals acting strangely. If any wild animals are found dead, acting abnormally or ill, or if residents think they or their pets have been exposed to rabies, contact the local animal control agency.
More information about rabies is available by calling the County of Monterey Health Department’s Communicable Disease Unit at 831-755-4521, by visiting Hitchcock Road Animal Services’ website (hitchcockroadanimals.org) or visiting the County of Monterey Health Department’s website (countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/health/diseases/rabies).
