Raging Bat found in Hayward Mall

HAYWARD, California (KGO) –

A warning to everyone at Southland Mall in Hayward on February 5th.

The Alameda County Public Health Department announced that a bat found in the mall that day had been tested positive for the rabies virus.

Anyone who has touched or perhaps been bitten by the bat could have been exposed to the disease and is asked to call the Alameda County Public Health Department.

Anyone whose animal has come in contact with the bat should call Hayward Animal Control.

Rabies is a deadly disease, but it can usually be prevented if an exposed person or animal receives a series of vaccines as soon as possible.

This is the first rabid bat found in Alameda County this year.

Rabies was detected in two bats found in the county last year.