bat1On August 14, 2018, a bat found on the sidewalk in front of 530 Madison Street, near the intersection of 5th Street across from Conway Park in the City of Ithaca, was determined to be rabid by the New York State Rabies Laboratory.

If your child was unattended near this bat or there was any contact with this bat by a person or pet, please contact the Tompkins County Health Department at 274-6688 immediately to discuss possible exposure to rabies. Untreated rabies in humans is fatal.

The Health Department reminds everyone to:

  1. Avoid contact with any unfamiliar cats or dogs and any wild animals.
  2. All cats, dogs and ferrets must have initial rabies vaccinations administered no later than four months of age. Keep vaccinations current!
  3. Report the following incidents to the Tompkins County Health Department at 274-6688:
    • · All animal bites or scratches.
    • · Any human or pet contact with salvia or other potentially infectious material (brain tissue, spinal tissue, or cerebro-spinal fluid) of wild animals or any animal suspected of having rabies.
    • · All bat bites, scratches, or any mere skin contact with a bat, or a bat in a room with a child, or sleeping or impaired person.

v14i32