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Health officials issue dire warning to unsuspecting restaurant guests possibly exposed to rabies
Yahoo • • health
Key Points:
- A rabid bat landed on a family's table at a San Diego deli, prompting public health officials to warn anyone who may have touched the bat to seek medical advice due to rabies risk.
- The bat tested positive for rabies at the Oceanside Humane Society and is the 22nd rabid bat confirmed in San Diego County this year, surpassing last year's total.
- Officials stressed the importance of avoiding direct contact with bats and wildlife, noting that rabies symptoms can take weeks to months to appear and are almost always fatal once they develop, but prompt treatment is effective.
- Despite the health risk, San Diego officials highlighted bats' crucial role in the ecosystem, including insect control and plant pollination, urging residents to respect wildlife and maintain distance.
- The state has not reported a human rabies case since 2024, and fewer than 10 Americans die from rabies annually, according to the CDC.
