Keep Your Eyes Open Around Bats

* Re “Park Program Drives ‘Em Batty,” July 29:

I commend the park program as an avenue to help the public understand the life histories of our native wildlife, especially the significant role bats play in our ecosystem, helping to maintain California’s rich agricultural industry.

However, bats are also of great public health concern since they are the primary carrier of rabies in Orange County. Rabies, if undetected and untreated, is a fatal disease.

With the continual increase in urbanization of our county, more homes and their surroundings have become available habitats for opportunistic wildlife. As a result, public health is recording many more bat vs. human interactions. We have recorded bats roosting in attics, under eves and even inside homes. In the latter situation, bats have occasionally been found to make physical contact with sleeping humans, possibly exposing them to rabies.

It is very important to avoid unnecessary exposure to bats because they may be rabid. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention make these recommendations to assure public safety:

* Enjoy observing bats in their natural environment, but keep your distance.

* If you find a bat in your home, do not try to catch it. Instead, close all windows and doors and contact your local animal control [office] immediately so they can have it tested for rabies.

* If you see a bat on the ground, never pick it up. Instead, call animal control immediately and keep the bat in sight until an animal control officer arrives.

* Any time a human or pet has physical contact with a bat, contact Public Health immediately.

* Make sure all dogs and cats are regularly vaccinated against rabies.

DR. HUGH F. STALLWORTH

Orange County

Director of Public Health