Public Health Alert issued for Raleigh County after rabid bat found
MABSCOTT, WV (WVNS) — A Public Health Alert was issued for a portion of Raleigh County after a rabies test on a bat came back positive.
According to a release from the Beckley-Raleigh County Health Department, the Public Health alert was issued for the Railroad Avenue area of Mabscott. The bat that was tested was found in this area.
The health department reminded residents to keep all vaccinations for pets and livestock up to date.
According to the CDC, the majority of those who contract rabies, get it from bats. An average of 70 percent of people who die from rabies in the United States were infected by bats. Rabies can be deadly if not treated immediately.
59News spoke to Raleigh County Health Department Nursing Director, Amber Humphrey, who said, “Rabies is spread from the saliva of an infected animal through bites or scratches. So, it’s very important that your animals are vaccinated to protect them from getting rabies and then potentially spreading it to humans.”
Anyone with any questions on rabies can be directed to the Beckley-Raleigh County Health Department. Below is a list of anti-rabies clinics in Raleigh County:
Stick with 59News for updates as they become available.
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