HEALTH

Concern for public safety after bat with rabies found in Pioneer Park

Oct 2, 2024, 3:07 PM | Updated: 3:20 pm

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 20:  A Grey-Headed Flying Fox flies through the air at the Royal Botanic ...

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 20: A Grey-Headed Flying Fox flies through the air at the Royal Botanic Gardens March 20, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Flying Foxes, or fruit bats, have taken up permanent roosts in the Botanic Gardens, causing major damage to heritage trees in the park. The Royal Botanic Gardens has begun a program to deter the flying foxes from roosting, as there are now some 11,000 bats roosting in the park. Deterents include noise to disturb sleep patterns, plastic bags attached to branches of trees, strobe lights, odours, and the playing of taped distress calls. (Photo by Ian Waldie/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ian Waldie/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY — A bat found in Pioneer Park tested positive for rabies, leaving health officials concerned for public safety after hearing multiple people may have come in contact with the animal.

On Wednesday, the Salt Lake County Health Department sent a notice that the Utah Public Health Lab tested a bat from the park for rabies, and the results proved the bat was infected.

“Salt Lake County Animal Services collected the bat from the park, where people assumed to be experiencing homelessness informed the animal services officer that members of the unsheltered community handled the bat, potentially for an extended period,” the release reported.

According to the health department, rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Usually, rabies can be contracted through a bite or scratch of an animal that is infected. It may also be transmitted from “infectious material” such as saliva, if it comes in contact with someone’s eyes, nose, mouth, or wounds.

Symptoms of rabies

Rabid bats will display abnormal behavior, like being active during the day or spending time on the ground. They may appear weak, dehydrated, or unable to fly. This may make them more approachable than usual, but health experts stress the importance of reporting such behaviors and keeping yourself, children, and pets away.

The health department said that once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is considered 100% fatal. Signs and symptoms of rabies in humans can include:

  • insomnia
  • anxiety
  • confusion
  • slight or partial paralysis
  • excitation
  • hallucinations
  • agitation
  • increase in saliva
  • difficulty swallowing
  • fear of water

Health resources

The Salt Lake County Health Department reportedly canvassed Pioneer Park on Wednesday afternoon to distribute flyers and find people who had contact with the bat so they could receive medication to prevent rabies infection. The department is working with Fourth Street Clinic, area homeless resource centers, and other partners that serve the unsheltered community to inform them of the situation.

If you touched or were touched by a bat, the health department said to call it at 385-468-4222 immediately to be evaluated.

If you are experiencing homelessness and were in contact with a bat, you may visit the Fourth Street clinic or a hospital emergency department. The department stressed the importance of notifying health experts that you came in contact with a bat upon arrival.

Utah law protects all bat species, and it is illegal to harm a bat due to their value to Utah’s environment.

Flyer distributed by the Salt Lake County Health Department on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (South Salt Lake Animal Services)

 

KSL 5 TV Live

Health

A McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburger and fries are shown in this photograph, in New York's Times ...

Jonel Aleccia, AP Health Writer

E. coli cases climb to 104 in McDonald’s outbreak tied to slivered onions

At least 104 people have been sickened, with 34 hospitalized, in an outbreak of E. coli food poisoning tied to onions served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers.

10 hours ago

Mifepristone tablets are seen in a Planned Parenthood clinic July 18, 2024, in Ames, Iowa....

Laura Ungar, AP Science Writer

Birth control and abortion pill requests have surged since Trump won the election

Doctors say requests for permanent sterilizations and long-term birth control like IUDs have surged across the nation since Donald Trump was elected president last week.

13 hours ago

Home in Lehi pictured on Friday, Nov 1, 2024. (KSL TV)...

Carlysle Price

Get your home tested this November during National Radon Action Month

November is 'National Radon Action Month.' To help Utahns take action, we have compiled a list of resources to help people around the state get their homes tested and keep their loved ones healthy. 

1 day ago

The American Red Cross launched a blood drive during the 2024 holidays gifting donors "Friends"-the...

Mary Culbertson

‘Friends’ themed socks offered by American Red Cross for blood donors during holidays

The American Red Cross launched a blood drive during the 2024 holidays gifting donors "Friends"-themed socks, in honor of the show's 30th anniversary.

2 days ago

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services building is seen, April 5, 2009, in Washington....

Mike Stobbe, AP Medical Writer

STD epidemic slows as new syphilis and gonorrhea cases fall in US

There's some good news about sexually-transmitted diseases in newly released U.S. health data.

2 days ago

FILE - Utah Poison Control Center. (KSL TV)...

Jacob Freeman

Experts warn of carbon monoxide as temperatures drop

Experts are warning Utahns of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, which becomes much more prevalent over the winter.

5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: A Trusted Name in Utah’s Home Appliance Industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

family having fun at home...

Lighting Design

Discover the impact of lighting on your mood

From color temperature to lighting saturation, we tackle how different lighting design setups can impact your day-to-day mood.

Laptops in a modern technology store. Department of computers in the electronics store. Choosing a ...

PC Laptops

How to choose the best laptop for college students

Finding the right laptop for college students can be hard, but with this guide we break down what to look for so you can find the best one.

young male technician is repairing a printer at office...

Les Olson

Unraveling the dilemma between leasing and buying office technology

Carefully weigh these pros and cons to make an informed decision that best suits your business growth and day-to-day operation. 

A kitchen in a modern farmhouse....

Lighting Design

A room-by-room lighting guide for your home

Bookmark this room-by-room lighting guide whenever you decide to upgrade your lighting or style a new home.

Concern for public safety after bat with rabies found in Pioneer Park