Bat in Shelburne tests positive for rabies

According to Town Health Officer Bob Lake, he was notified by the State Dept. of Health on Monday that a dead bat found in the Davis Park area of Shelburne last weekend has tested positive for rabies. Lake is reminding residents that if a person comes in direct contact with a dead bat, the state should be notified. Anyone coming in contact with a dead bat should also contact their physician. He went on to say that it isn’t uncommon for a bat to test positive, and that the state is not conducting wholesale testing of dead bats.

Calls can be made to the Vermont Rabies Hotline: 1-800-472-2437 (800-4-RABIES). Monday – Friday (except federal holidays), 8 am to 4:30 pm. More information on rabies can be found on the Vermont Dept. of Health website at http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/rabies/rabies_fact.aspx.

Lake also reminds the community to make sure animals are vaccinated.