The New Mexico Department of Health is asking residents to keep their hands to themselves, well at least when it comes to unknown animals and/or wildlife in distress. According to a release from the DOH sent out Monday, the state has received increased reports of people coming in contact with bats. “Because of current high temperatures and lack of water, bats can have the tendency to fall on the ground from their perches where the nocturnal animals normally hang during daylight. Their reaction to extreme heat can cause bats to seem ill and display unusual behavior,” the release said. “If you see a sick or dead bat, don’t touch it,” said NMDOH Cabinet Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins. “You might think you’re doing the kind thing by trying to help an animal, but if that animal bites or scratches you, you could put yourself at risk for rabies. Dead animals can also pose risk for rabies if improperly handled.”While bats do not typically carry rabies, two bats from Torrance County did test positive for the disease this year. In 2020, a total of nine bats in various counties around the state also tested positive for rabies. DOH asks anyone who comes in contact with an animal in distress to report it to their local city or county animal control service department.
The New Mexico Department of Health is asking residents to keep their hands to themselves, well at least when it comes to unknown animals and/or wildlife in distress.
According to a release from the DOH sent out Monday, the state has received increased reports of people coming in contact with bats.
“Because of current high temperatures and lack of water, bats can have the tendency to fall on the ground from their perches where the nocturnal animals normally hang during daylight. Their reaction to extreme heat can cause bats to seem ill and display unusual behavior,” the release said.
“If you see a sick or dead bat, don’t touch it,” said NMDOH Cabinet Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins. “You might think you’re doing the kind thing by trying to help an animal, but if that animal bites or scratches you, you could put yourself at risk for rabies. Dead animals can also pose risk for rabies if improperly handled.”
While bats do not typically carry rabies, two bats from Torrance County did test positive for the disease this year. In 2020, a total of nine bats in various counties around the state also tested positive for rabies.
DOH asks anyone who comes in contact with an animal in distress to report it to their local city or county animal control service department.