The City of Hamilton Health Department is warning residents after a bat found outside a Hamilton nursing facility tested positive for rabies. Health officials said the bat was collected near the Bradford Place Care Center on Millville Avenue and tested positive on May 22. The Health Department said it is working with administrators at the facility following the confirmation. Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. The disease is most commonly found in bats, raccoons, skunks, and other wild animals, but can also infect pets and humans. Officials said rabies is spread through the saliva of an infected animal, typically through bites or contact with open cuts, the mouth, nose, or eyes. Health officials stressed that rabies can be prevented if medical treatment is started quickly after an exposure. Residents are urged to avoid contact with stray or wild animals and never approach animals that appear sick, injured, or dead. Officials also warned residents to use caution if nocturnal animals such as bats or raccoons are seen active during the daytime. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to rabies is encouraged to contact a doctor immediately.

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