BERTHOUD, Colo. — A rabid bat was found at a park in Berthoud on Tuesday, according to a news release from the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. A passerby noticed a bat was under a tree in Pioneer Park, which is located at the intersection of Indiana Avenue and East Second Street, and notified a town official, according to the release.
The bat was later tested, and results received Thursday confirmed it was positive for rabies, the release said. RELATED: Rabid bat found in Fort Collins This is the seventh rabid bat found in Larimer County this year, according to the county website's page for rabid animal sightings . In May, rabid bats were found in Arapahoe and El Paso counties .
Rabid bats were found in Boulder County in July . Health officials are asking anyone who had direct contact with a bat in the area of Pioneer Park to contact the health department by calling 970-498-6666. Just having been in the area is not considered an exposure, as rabies is transmitted when the saliva of an infected animal penetrates skin through a bite or scratch, according to the release.
RELATED: Rabid bats found in Colorado: How to prevent risk of rabies Rabies is a rare but serious disease that is fatal in humans and other mammals after symptom onset, per the release, but receiving treatment promptly after an exposure can prevent a rabies infection. Health officials remind people to never touch or feed wild animals and make sure their pets' rabies vaccinations are up to .