HIGHLANDS COUNTY, Fla. — The victim of a bat bite in Highlands County, Fla., has died from rabies, according to the Florida Health Department.
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The department confirmed a bat transmitted rabies to a person in Highlands County, but did not say when or exactly where the incident took place, according to WPLG-TV.
According to the Florida Department of Health's website, "the virus is present in some wildlife in Florida and can spread to unvaccinated pets, which then pose a high risk to the pet owner and their family."
“It is important to avoid direct contact with wildlife,” Mara Gambineri, spokeswoman of the Florida Health Department said in a press release.
“If you believe you may have been exposed to rabies, including any physical contact with a bat, contact your health care provider and your county health department right away.”
The main wildlife sources of rabies in Florida are raccoons and bats, according to the website.