Person bitten by bat dies in Highlands County

HIGHLANDS COUNTY, Fla. - A person who was bitten by a bat in Highlands County contracted rabies and died, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Health officials did not say when the bite happened but say the individual who was bitten did not seek treatment and did not receive a rabies shot afterward.

The person died, official say.

”They're a vector of rabies which means they can carrying it and not actually have it,” said Chris Wirt, owner of A All Animal Control.

Wirt says his company averages about two calls a week for bat removal.

”If you’re seeing them around your house around the eves you should definitely call a professional and let them do an inspection you could have bats living in your soffits or attic,” he said.

The health department wants to remind people to seek treatment if there has been any contact with a bat or if there is any exposure to rabies. "It is important to administer treatment in a timely manner," officials say.

Thanks to available treatments, only one to three people die a year in the US from rabies.