Nearly 200 campers needed preventative vaccines after rabid bat found in Nebraska zoo

• A Nebraska zoo has asked nearly 200 campers for a rabies vaccine after discovering a rabid wild bat.

• Authorities said they found seven wild bats, including one that tested positive for rabies.

• All seven bats were euthanized.

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A Nebraska zoo has urged nearly 200 of its overnight campers to get vaccinated against rabies after discovering a rabid wild bat on their premises earlier this month, according to the Associated Press.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium said one of its 186 campers woke up on the night of July 4 to find a wild bat flying around its head.

The camper, who has not been named, was treated by emergency medics, but no bites or scratches were found on her.

Zoo officials later discovered seven wild bats in the aquarium, one of which tested positive for rabies. All the bats were euthanized.

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As a precaution, zoo officials recommended that everyone on site, including staff, get a rabies vaccine. The shots were paid for and the campers also received a full refund.

All other overnight camping events were moved to another part of the zoo as workers investigated how the creatures could enter the area, according to the AP.

Zoo animal health director Sarah Woodhouse told the AP: “It is not unusual for a wild bat to be infected with rabies, which is why you should never directly touch a bat. wild bat. “

“The bats we identified were little brown bats, a bat species common in Nebraska that anyone could find in their backyard or attic,” she added.

Although rare, little brown bats can be carriers and transmit rabies. The deadly virus affects the central nervous system of mammals and is transmitted through saliva.

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