Bat Found At Home Tests Positive For Rabies In Mercer Co.

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A bat found at a home in Ewing Township has tested positive for rabies, officials said Monday.

Officials asked residents to take preventive measures and report any contact with bats to the health department immediately.

Residents have been warned to remain cautious of wild animals that may carry rabies, especially as bats become more active this season.

Bats often roost in dark, undisturbed areas, such as attics and wall spaces in homes. The entry points are often near the roof edge, such as under the eaves, soffits or loose boards, openings in the roof or vents, or crevices around the chimney.

Bats may roost behind shutters or under boards without entering the home. Sometimes the only evidence of the presence of bats in a building will be an accumulation of droppings in one area of the attic, or droppings and rub marks on the siding at the bat entry opening. While the objective is to seal off all the actual and potential bat entry points, care must be taken to follow the correct procedures to avoid blocking the bats inside the roost.

Those who are bitten, or scratched or the possibility of contact cannot be excluded, try to confine or kill the bat without damage to its head, to prevent additional exposures.

Immediately cleanse the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek prompt medical attention from a physician or hospital emergency room.

Report the bite or other exposure to the local health department as soon as possible.

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