Bat found at school tests positive for Rabies

Eighth case of rabies in Polk County for 2012

BARTOW, Fla. –  The Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Section confirmed Wednesday the eighth positive rabies case in the county this year.

On Monday, a bat was impounded by PCSO Animal Control from Summerlin Academy  in Bartow and a state test later confirmed the animal tested positive for the disease.

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The school reported that a little girl had touched the bat, however her identity was not given to animal services.

The Polk County health department was reportedly working with the school to find out who the child is and whether or not she'd been affected by the rapid bat.

Of the seven other cases of rabies in Polk county this year, three involve bats while four involved raccoons.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said that bats and raccoons are among the mammals to be at high risk for the disease and reminds residents not to approach an animal which is acting in an unusual or suspicious manner. 


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