Public alerted about rabid bats found in Fremont

FREMONT, Calif. (KGO) -- A public alert has gone out in Fremont now that three dead bats have been found, two of which have tested positive for rabies. The third is still being tested.

Officials from the Health Department arrived from vector control to talk to people about the bats.

Administrators at Niles Elementary School sent home a notice to parents Tuesday night, telling them about the bats.

It was a hot topic among parents as they dropped off their kids on Wednesday morning.

One bat was found on the school's blacktop on Friday. It tested positive for rabies. Another bat was found on Tuesday just behind the school, which still needs to be tested.

The bat found near the Irvington Community Center last Monday tested positive for rabies.

Dog walkers are concerned too. Health officials say if your vaccinated dog picks one up, it will have to be quarantined for a month. Unvaccinated pets face a 6-month quarantine.

Pet owners are watching their animals and parents say they are talking to their children.

"The more you know about rabies and people know about having their pets vaccinated for rabies and not to touch any or have any interaction with wild animals, the better off we will be," Vector Control's Daniel Wilson said.

"I went online. I read something about the bats, about how they could be dangerous to kids and the local people and such. So I guess today we're going to just tell them a bit about bats, you know, for our kids. And just show them a good deal about bats and something, how should you stay away from these creatures and animals. Something to be just made aware of," parent Arvind Saxena said.

Officials will be educating people on Wednesday to stay away from animals acting strangely. Do not touch them and if you do, report it to the Health Department.

The bat population cannot be controlled, so it's up to people to be proactive in protecting themselves and their pets.