The Department is helping investigate a recent die off of bats in the Tucson Area. About 70 bats were found dead at the overpass near Speedway and Pantono. Initially, there was concern that the animals may have died from rabies, as rabies is always a concern when bats are downed or behaving strangely. However, a sample of bats was sent to the state laboratory and all have tested negative for rabies.
There has been an increase in bat deaths nationally, due to the spread of a fungus, and Arizona Game and Fish will continue the investigation to determine the cause of these deaths. Since there was a recent application of chemicals near the area, it is likely that these deaths may be due to accidental poisoning. It is also possible that changes in weather and delayed migration of the bats may have caused these recent deaths. The following are some important bat safety tips:
* Do not touch down or dead bats
* Call animal control to remove injured bats from your property
* Teach children not to handle or touch sick or injured animals including bats
* Call animal control to remove injured bats from your property
* Teach children not to handle or touch sick or injured animals including bats
http://directorsblog.health.azdhs.gov/?p=994
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