GREEN VALLEY, Wis. (WFRV) — The Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department is alerting the public after a wild bat in Shawano County tested positive for rabies.

The bat was found in the town of Green Valley after an encounter with a family pet. The last confirmed rabid animal in Shawano County was also a bat in 2023, officials said.

Health officials are using the report as a reminder of steps people can take to protect themselves and their pets from rabies: • Vaccinate dogs, cats, ferrets, and livestock against rabies. • Avoid contact with wild animals, especially those acting abnormally. • Do not keep exotic or wild animals as pets. • Keep bats out of homes by maintaining window screens and sealing small openings. • Teach children not to approach unfamiliar animals.

If bitt

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