BURNET, Texas – A bat found in a Burnet County emergency room bathroom has tested positive for rabies.

The bat was found on Aug. 1 around 5:49 p.m. in the women’s bathroom at the Seton Highland Lakes Hospital.

Officials with the Department of State Health Services tested the bat for rabies, which came back positive for the virus.  

If you think you may have come into contact with the bat you are urged to call the Burnet Police Department at 512-756-6404 or the Texas Department of State Health Services at 254-778-6744. 

Lisa Norwood from Animal Care Services in San Antonio provided the following:

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A BAT

• Never touch wildlife or any roaming animal, regardless of whether it is living or dead
• Refrain from feeding, touching or handling any wildlife or unknown animals
• If you or your pet makes contact with a bat, skunk, raccoon, coyote, or other wildlife, call 311 to be connected to your local animal control department
• If the unknown animal is within a home or building, keep the animal confined, but only if it can be done safely and without direct contact
• Wait for Animal Control to respond and avoid striking the animal. Physical trauma can damage the brain and make it impossible to conduct rabies laboratory tests