A bat found in Pasadena tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials Thursday to urge residents to avoid contact with any bats in the area.

According to Pasadena spokeswoman Lisa Derderian, that bat was found near the intersection of South San Rafael and Nithsdale Road. It is the first bat found in the city this year to test positive for rabies, according to city Public Health Director Manuel Carmona.

No human cases of rabies have been reported in the city, and the overall risk of public exposure remains low, according to the city.

Carmona urged residents to avoid contact with and immediately report any injured, ill, or dead bats in the area. People were advised to never handle bats with bare hands.

“Any contact by humans or pets with a rabid bat is a very serious health conc

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