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Facebook post from the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services:
Humboldt County Public Health officials are reminding community residents not to handle bats after three children had to be treated for exposure to rabies in two separate incidents in the past two weeks. One incident took place in Manila and the other incident took place in the Sunset Avenue neighborhood of Arcata. Both bats involved subsequently tested positive for the rabies virus.
Experts say rabies is always present in the wildlife population throughout Humboldt County, especially among bats, skunks and foxes. Preventive measures include avoiding contact with wild and stray animals, bringing pet food indoors at night, reporting animal bites to your county or municipal animal control officer, and if you are bitten, washing the bite immediately with soap and water and seeking medical attention. Public Health officials stress the importance of fully vaccinating domestic animals against rabies, including dogs, cats and select livestock.
For questions about rabies or to report a rabid animal, please call the DHHS Division of Environmental Health at 707-445-6215 or toll free at 1-800-963- 9241.