LAKELAND, Fla. – A Florida mom made a chilling discovery after a rabid bat was discovered hidden amongst her youngsters’s toys.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office mentioned it is the fifth such case of rabid bats discovered within the county this 12 months.
Deputies have been alerted to the most recent encounter on Nov. 27 when the involved Lakeland mom referred to as for assist after discovering the lifeless bat in a bag.
Animal management officers responded and picked up the bat, and initiated a rabies investigation.
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The bat was despatched to the state laboratory in Tampa, the place it examined constructive for rabies.
“Luckily this household’s pet is vaccinated in opposition to this harmful illness,” Sheriff Grady Judd mentioned.
Judd has urged residents to train excessive warning when encountering wildlife.
“Please don’t hesitate to contact us in the event you come into contact with sick, injured or deceased wildlife,” he emphasised.
Rabies is a critical and infrequently deadly viral illness that may have an effect on all mammals, together with people, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While it has been largely eradicated in developed international locations, it nonetheless poses a big risk in lots of elements of the world.
Rabies is unfold to people and pets primarily by bites or scratches from an contaminated animal.
Anyone who thinks they’ve been uncovered to rabies, or their pet has been uncovered, is requested to name PCSO Animal Control Section at 863-577-1762.
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