Springtime is right around the corner, and bats become active and seek locations inside homes and buildings. The Florida Department of Health in Orange County wants to remind residents to take these simple steps to protect yourself and your family:
Bats are not to be disturbed during maternity season that runs from April 15 to August 15. It is illegal to harm or kill bats in Florida, but they can be legally excluded from a building or structure by following effective, recommended practices that protect bats and people. For exclusions of bat colonies, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation at 352-732-1225.
Bats play an important role in the ecosystem, especially in controlling insects and aiding agriculture, and they pose virtually no danger to people who do not handle them, however a small percentage can carry rabies. If you find a bat during daylight hours, it is most likely unhealthy and should be avoided.
If you or a family member has been bitten or scratched by a bat, you should seek medical attention and contact Orange County Animal Services at (407) 254-9150.
Remember, bats belong in nature, not in your hands. If you find a dead bat on your property and you’re certain no human or pet contact has occurred, please take extra precaution when disposing of the bat.
Rabies is a disease of the nervous system that can cause paralysis and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans. The virus is spread through saliva, and humans may become infected through a bite wound, scratch or exposure of a fresh cut to saliva of a rabid animal. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment which is started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease.
For more information on rabies, visit the DOH website at doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/rabies/rabies-index.html or the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies.
About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
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MelissaW
Bats keep mosquito populations down and are pollinators. They deserve so much more credit than they get!
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 Report this