Discovery of sick bat prompts warning signs

RENO - Warning signs are posted at Virginia Lake in southwest Reno after a rabid bat was found at the popular park.

District Health Department spokeswoman Cass Luke said the bat was found by a high school boy on Wednesday and tests determined that the bat was rabid.

She said the youth was advised to see a doctor who would determine whether any treatment would be required, although she said that would occur only if the teen had been bitten or scratched, which he apparently was not.

Signs were posted at the park in both English and Spanish to warn people of the possible hazard.

''I don't know we've had any other examples this year. We usually have a couple of reports like this,'' Luke said on Friday.

She said bats are fairly common in the Reno area.

While they congregate in abandoned mines and barns in rural areas, they adapt in cities to places where they can hide in relative seclusion.

''We have bats making freeway bridges their home, hanging out under those eaves,'' she said, adding that a thousand or so bats have been found under a single Interstate-80 overpass.

Even given their somewhat creepy image - especially at this time of year - Luke said bats tend to be fairly sociable animals when they're healthy.

''This one was a sick animal on a sidewalk - a perfect target for a curious kid, a curious dog,'' she said.

The signs were posted because of the popularity of the park for joggers, bicyclists and people out walking their dogs.

Luke said the health department was staffed despite being closed in observance of Nevada Day and questions could be called in to 328-2633.

Rabies is only transmitted to humans by infected animals and is treatable in its early stages, but invariably fatal once symptoms appear. Pets can be protected by vaccinations. Humans are best protected by avoiding any wild animals, especially ones that are acting strangely.