Date: 6/1/26 11:43 am From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bats in Irvine
I thank Aaron and Martin for raising this issue and providing an informative discussion, but as this topic does not relate to birds or birding, this thread is now closed.Tom BensonCo-moderator, OrangeCountyBirding -------- Original message --------From: "Martin Fee via groups.io" <mfee...> Date: 6/1/26 11:34 AM (GMT-08:00) To: <atj0888...>, <OrangeCountyBirding...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bats in Irvine I am pretty certain that the Orange County health care agency routinely performs rabies testing on any sick, injured, and/or dead bat that is found and reported to animal control, in case anyone may have had contact with it.The rate of rabies in these ill/dead bats is significantly higher than in the general bat population of course, because they are not healthy so the likelihood that they might have rabies goes up.And to clarify, any direct contact with a bat (such as touching or picking up a dead or injured bat) carries risk. The “enclosed space” comment refers to a flying bat. Martin FeeNorth TustinSent from the all new AOL app for iOSOn Monday, June 1, 2026, 9:43 AM, Aaron Jones via groups.io <atj0888...> wrote:Good morning,
Thank you for the insight. The incident I refer to at Irvine Regional Park can be found on this OC Health Care Agency press release: Bat Found at Irvine Regional Park Tests Positive for Rabies | Orange County California - Health Care Agency
It doesn't state how the bat was found to have had rabies, whether it was by chance, or if it was part of a survey (particularly if the only potential danger of contact is within enclosed spaces). Do you (or anyone else) know more about this, please?
Thank you for your reassurance, also.
-- Aaron Jones,Santa Ana."Nid wrth ei big y mae mesur cyffylog."
