10/12/2024
On Oct.11, the Texas Department of State Health Services notified Mansfield Animal Care & Control that a bat sent for rabies testing has tested positive for rabies. The bat was found on Oct. 9, in the northwest portion of the city on Brynlee Lane, underneath a mailbox, lying on its back and unresponsive.
If you or your pets had any contact or believed to have any contact with this bat, please contact Mansfield Animal Care & Control immediately. Rabies is a serious viral disease that is fatal if left untreated, but it is preventable with prompt medical intervention.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects mammals and can be spread from animals to humans through a bite or scratch or contact with the saliva of a rabid animal. Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, but is preventable with timely and appropriate treatment.
Steps to Protect Yourself and Others:
Do not handle or approach wild or stray animals, especially bats, which are common carriers of rabies.
Ensure your pets are vaccinated against rabies and keep their vaccinations up to date.
If you discover a bat inside your home, safely contain it for testing, if possible, and contact Mansfield Animal Care & Control
If you or your pet have been exposed to this bat or another wild animal, wear gloves when handling your pet and contact your veterinarian or the health department.
Keep your pets indoors, and do not allow them to roam freely outside.
Stay safe, and thank you for your cooperation in helping prevent rabies exposure in our community.
For more information or to report any concerns, please contact Mansfield Animal Care & Control at 817-276-4799 or [email protected].
