Two people undergoing rabies treatment following bat exposure at Arkansas State Fairgrounds

Little Rock, Arkansas – Two individuals are undergoing medical treatment following exposure to a bat at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds. The event occurred on October 21, when a bat exhibiting abnormal behavior was noticed in the fairgrounds’ horse barn.

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Unfortunately, the bat was not captured for analysis, prompting health officials to advise the two exposed individuals to begin post-exposure rabies treatment as a precaution. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is taking this incident seriously, considering the severe consequences of untreated rabies, which is almost always fatal.

The ADH is reaching out to the public, urging anyone who might have had direct contact with the bat to contact them for a risk assessment. This step is vital as rabies infection can occur not only through bites but also, in rare cases, through direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal.

To facilitate this, the department has provided contact numbers: the business hours switchboard at 501-661-2381 (available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and the after-hours number at 800-554-5738.

Officials emphasize that casual contact or mere proximity to an infected animal is unlikely to lead to infection. However, given the high fatality rate of untreated rabies, prompt medical intervention is crucial.

For additional information on rabies and preventative measures, the public is encouraged to visit the ADH website. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and prompt action when encountering potentially infected wildlife.