Bat in New Bedford tests positive for rabies
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — The City of New Bedford said that a bat found in the area of Fire Station 8 on Acushnet Avenue tested positive for rabies.
The city’s Health Department and Animal Control said all residents, particularly those who keep pets outside, should ensure their pets’ rabies vaccinations were up to date.
Anyone who encounters an animal that may have rabies should keep their distance and call New Bedford Animal Control at 508-991-6366.
Signs of rabies in animals can include:
- Abnormal or aggressive behavior
- Lethargy, weakness, or paralysis
- Self-mutilation
- Seizures
- Excessive salivation
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Rabies transmits through saliva and affects animals and humans.
Anyone who believes they had contact with an animal that may be rabid – through a bite, scratch, or other physical contact – thoroughly wash the area, seek medical attention and contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at its 24-hour hotline at 617-983-6800.
The following steps are recommended to protect animals from rabies:
- Vaccination: The rabies vaccine for dogs, cats, and ferrets is a requirement under Massachusetts law. Contact your veterinarian or a rabies clinic to ensure vaccinations are up to date.
- Keep pets close: Always watch pets when they are outdoors and keep them away from wildlife. Use a leash, keep pets in fenced areas, and never let them roam free.
- Spay and neuter: The CDC suggests spaying and neutering pets to reduce the potential for unwanted animals without vaccinations.
- Keep wildlife wild: Never keep a wild animal as a pet, which is illegal in Massachusetts.
- Secure property: Bring all outdoor water or food bowls inside, cover garbage, and repair holes in chimneys, cellars, porches, and other areas, in order to keep wildlife away from your property and out of your home.
