A bat found in the Dundee area has tested positive for rabies, authorities said Friday.
In the past week, Mark Langan of the Nebraska Humane Society said NHS has fielded more than 100 calls about bats, according to the release.
The Douglas County Health Department and the NHS issued a press release Friday afternoon confirming the case of rabies, which can be fatal, in Dundee.
Anyone who has been bitten by a bat, exposed to bat saliva, or otherwise had exposure to a rabid bat should go to a local ER as soon as possible.
The agencies are asking Douglas County residents to protect themselves from "these evening invaders"; bats begin to become more active this time of year as they begin to seek shelter — sometimes in homes — to keep warm at night.
What to do if you find a bat
Any bat found in room with a sleeping person, unattended child, mentally disabled person, or intoxicated person, will need to be tested for rabies. If the bat tests positive, anyone exposed will need treatment.
Contact NHS immediately 402-444-7800, Ext. 1. Then isolate the bat, keeping an eye on it until NHS arrives.
How to bat-proof your home
Closing any openings larger than a quarter-inch by a half-inch by caulking the opening or using window screens, chimney caps, or stainless steel wool. Outside entry points are especially important to cover. Doors to the outside should be kept tightly closed.
For more information on bats and how to protect yourself from their bites, just visit the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov and enter bats in the search box.
