Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium said a wild bat found inside the zoo’s aquarium complex tested positive for rabies and urged 186 people who attended zoo camping events to seek treatment for rabies exposure.The zoo noted the bat was not part of its’ collection, but rather a wild bat that entered the Aquarium.According to the zoo, on July 4th a guest taking part in an overnight campout in the Aquarium building reported she awoke and noticed a wild bat near her head. She did not appear to suffer any scratches or bite marks. But because the bat flew away before it could be captured, the zoo’s veterinarian advised the woman to contact her doctor for the risk of rabies exposure.The zoo says it notified Douglas County Health Department, and a team from the zoo located seven wild, little brown bats inside the Aquarium. All were euthanized. Only one of the seven tested positive for rabies.According to the zoo, both the Nebraska State Veterinarian and the Nebraska Department of Health recommended 186 guests staying in the Aquarium over the nights of July 2nd and 3rd, as well as June 29th and 30th should receive the rabies post exposure prophylaxis. Each attendee has been notified, including children and adults as well as some zoo employees. The zoo is offering guests refunds for the camping events and it is paying for the post exposure rabies treatment.The Henry Doorly Zoo says overnight monitoring and other inspection efforts have found no other bats in the complex, and no evidence of long-term bat roosting.Little brown bats are common in Nebraska and it is not unusual for a wild bat to be infected with rabies. The Nebraska Humane Society offers this advice about what to do if a bat is in your home.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium said a wild bat found inside the zoo’s aquarium complex tested positive for rabies and urged 186 people who attended zoo camping events to seek treatment for rabies exposure.
The zoo noted the bat was not part of its’ collection, but rather a wild bat that entered the Aquarium.
According to the zoo, on July 4th a guest taking part in an overnight campout in the Aquarium building reported she awoke and noticed a wild bat near her head. She did not appear to suffer any scratches or bite marks.
But because the bat flew away before it could be captured, the zoo’s veterinarian advised the woman to contact her doctor for the risk of rabies exposure.
The zoo says it notified Douglas County Health Department, and a team from the zoo located seven wild, little brown bats inside the Aquarium. All were euthanized. Only one of the seven tested positive for rabies.
According to the zoo, both the Nebraska State Veterinarian and the Nebraska Department of Health recommended 186 guests staying in the Aquarium over the nights of July 2nd and 3rd, as well as June 29th and 30th should receive the rabies post exposure prophylaxis.
Each attendee has been notified, including children and adults as well as some zoo employees. The zoo is offering guests refunds for the camping events and it is paying for the post exposure rabies treatment.
The Henry Doorly Zoo says overnight monitoring and other inspection efforts have found no other bats in the complex, and no evidence of long-term bat roosting.
Little brown bats are common in Nebraska and it is not unusual for a wild bat to be infected with rabies. The Nebraska Humane Society offers this advice about what to do if a bat is in your home.