A bat that was found in downtown Minneapolis last week has tested positive for rabies, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).Health officials are working to identify anyone who may have had contact with the bat, and they are urging those people to contact a healthcare provider.The bat was found on Sept. 15 around noon on Hennepin Avenue between North Washington Avenue and North Third Street. The bat was alive when found but died before testing.MDH officials say that a woman was seen crouching next to the bat and placing it into a bag. She is described as a white woman between 25 and 30 years old, about five feet, five inches tall, with curly brown hair and a curly‑haired golden‑retriever‑like dog with her.“The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received test results on Friday showing a bat that had been found in downtown Minneapolis this week was positive for rabies. We are working with partners to identify anyone who may have had contact with the bat. Anyone who touched the bat should contact their healthcare provider,” MDH said in a statement.Health officials also emphasized that bat bites can be extremely small, painless and may not leave visible marks. They added that people who did not touch the bat are not at risk and do not need rabies shots.For more information on rabies and risks involved, contact the MDH at 651‑201‑5414.
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