Two Kids Seen Playing With Rabid Bat At California Park

Public health officials were on high alert after it was revealed that two children were seen playing with a bad that tested positive for rabies. A March 2nd press release from the Riverside University Public Health System alerted parents that:

"An adult who had contact with the bat told health officials there were two children who appeared to handle the bat in the parking lot of an industrial park at 301 Lincoln Ave. in Corona on Feb. 28. The incident occurred about 4 p.m. The two boys appeared to be 11 or 12 years of age and were riding bicycles."

Residents were advised to talk with their children about any contact with a bat and urged exposed individuals to see a health provider as soon as possible to be evaluated for rabies post-exposure.

“It is important that these children be seen by a health care provider because the potential for a serious health issue,” said Dr. Geoffrey Leung, public health officer for Riverside County. “We ask parents and other guardians in the area to talk to their children and see if they might be the ones who handled the bat.”