A Hillsborough County woman is getting treatment after a bat she picked up on the sidewalk bit her.
According to the Florida Department of Health Hillsborough (DOH Hillsborough), the woman was walking around her neighborhood in Carrollwood at night when she saw a bat on the sidewalk. She picked the bat off the sidewalk and the bat bit her finger, DOH Hillsborough said.
The woman brought the bat to DOH Hillsborough and the bat was tested for rabies. The bat tested positive and the woman is now receiving rabies prophylaxis, DOH Hillsborough said.
DOH Hillsborough says this is the county's second confirmed case of rabies in 2020.
Health officials say do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter. Also, never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home, DOH Hillsborough says.
