Bat test positive for rabies after biting junior high student
Dalton Sweat
Editor
UPDATE: The bat that bit a Wimberley Junior High School student has tested positive for rabies. Hays County has released a statement giving more details about what happened.
The student was apparently bit on Friday, Sept. 12 and underwent "precautionary medical treatment for rabies." On Tuesday, Hays County announced that the bat had tested positive for rabies.
Now, Hays County Emergency Services is asking anyone that may have been in contact with the bat to call the Hays County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Unit at (512) 393-7896 or the Department of State Health Services Zoonosis Control at (254) 778-6744.
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE: A Wimberley Junior High School student was bitten by a bat recently after attempting to pick it up. According to a letter released on www.wimberleyisd.net, a student tried to pick up a bat, after school hours, and was bitten in the process. The student is "receiving precautionary medical treatment for rabies."
This is not the first recent incident with bats at the junior high as the letter from Junior High Principal Casey Hollomon references a second "situation."
Below is the letter released by the WJHS Principal:
Bats Discovered at Danforth JH
Please read!
There have been 2 recent situations of bats being found on campus during daylight hours. The most recent situation involved a student attempting to pick up a bat, after school hours, that was located on the ground and the student was bitten. We have dealt with this situation and the student is receiving precautionary medical treatment for rabies.
I am sure that you have had this conversation already in your homes, but please discuss with your student the importance of not touching or attempting to touch wild animals. Students may come into contact with a variety of animals during their time outside here in Central Texas. Please assist us in spreading the message to avoid contact with any wild animal if at all possible. We made a very specific announcement today at school to all students and staff, and want to not only let you know about the recent situations, but also to ask for your assistance in educating our students.
WISD has contacted professional pest control in an attempt to locate the colony IF they are located on campus. At this time, there is no evidence of a bat colony on campus. Our maintenance department will continue to monitor the facilities to ensure our students are safe while they are at school. Should there be any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 512-847-2181.
Casey Hollomon
Principal - Danforth JH
Wimberley ISD
