City of Garland Health Department
Public Health Notice

September 23, 2009

 
On September 23, 2009, the Garland Health Department (GHD) received notification of a laboratory confirmed case of rabies in a bat captured near the 800 block of Curtis, on September 13, 2009. No reports of human exposure to the bat have been received. This is the first laboratory confirmed case of rabies in an animal in Garland in 2009.
 
The rabies virus is relatively rare in North America and is occasionally found in wild or domesticated animals including, but not limited to dogs, coyotes, skunks, foxes, raccoons, and bats. Infection of humans can occur if virus-laden saliva from a rabid animal is introduced through a bite, scratch, or mucus membrane (such as the nose). Without treatment, infection is almost invariably fatal.
 
To reduce the community's risk to rabies, citizens should regularly vaccinate their pets and should report any pet or wild animal exhibiting erratic or abnormal behavior to Garland Animal Services. Citizens can contact the Garland Health Department at 972-205-3460 if they have questions, or need to report a potential exposure to the rabid bat.
 

 
Curtis Dr is in east Garland.