SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. -- A woman was helping her friend on Monday when she felt something hit her arm. When she got home, she found out what it was -- a small bat that was still there.
She told the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County that she immediately squished it with a towel.
Editor's note: The above image is a stock photo.
The bat was found in the 4000 Block of Upper Creek Drive, which is near Sun City Center Drive in the Sun City Center area.
Health officials tested the bat for rabies and the results came back positive. The woman is now undergoing treatment. The DOH will notify homes and businesses within a 500-foot radius of where the bat was found.
According to the heath department, rabies exposure is unusual, but said anyone who has been bitten, scratched or exposed to the saliva of any wild animal or an animal that is acting unusual should report it to the local health department.
Rabies is fatal to warm-blooded animals and humans, the DOH said.
This year, Hillsborough County has had seven rabid animals (four cats, two bats and one raccoon) that have exposed 15 people and four dogs to rabies.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10News app now.
Have a news tip? Email desk@wtsp.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
