Bat Found on Los Gatos Creek Trail Tests Positive For Rabies

A flier posted on a fence along the Los Gatos Creek Trail, just south of Lark Avenue, warns residents that on April 12, San Jose Animal Care and Services picked up a bat that tested positive for rabies.

"Warning," the notice reads in bold black capital letters giving case No. A13-005951 for the incident. It then goes on to say that on April 12, that bat was picked up on the Los Gatos Creek Trail, between Lark Avenue and Charter Oaks Drive.

The bat was sent to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department for testing and on April 16, results revealed the animal tested positive for rabies.

"If you or someone you know touched a bat in this area please contact your medical provider as soon as possible," the warning states. "As a reminder do not handle any bats or wildlife! The rabies virus can be fatal to humans."

The public is then asked to contact county public health authorities at 408-885-4214, or San Jose Animal Care and Services at 408-794-7297.

It's been more than a month since the bat was sent for testing, but Los Gatos Patch contributor Gary Hinze shared a copy of the flier with us explaining that it's unusual for bats to test positive for rabies, let alone be seen after their population has decreased.

Anne Robinson, a resident advocate of the 101-unit Charter Oaks neighborhood north of Lark Avenue, expressed concern about the lack of notice to the nearby public. "Why didn't we get these fliers delivered to our mailboxes?" she asked. "I haven't received anything. This is the first I have heard of it. I don't walk the Creek Trail regularly."

Robinson said she's worried and wished she had more information.

Similarly, a resident who lives in the Arroyo Grande neighborhood, wished public health authorities had notified them about the incident.

Dr. Sara Cody, deputy health officer for the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, said occasionally someone will call health authorities because they found a bat that is sick or dead and the animal is brought to the laboratory to be tested for rabies.

The bat found on April 12 was picked up and tested positive for rabies, however, she said, "It's not a risk to anyone unless they handled the bat."

"The only way to reach people on the trail is to post a notice. If anyone was on the trail around that date and handled the bat, they should call the public health department," Dr. Cody said.

The fliers were posted by San Jose Animal Care and Services near the spot where the bat was found, she explained.

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