{"id":66321,"date":"2025-07-24T10:43:20","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T14:43:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=66321"},"modified":"2025-07-24T10:43:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T14:43:20","slug":"go-health-reminds-residents-to-be-bat-aware-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/07\/24\/go-health-reminds-residents-to-be-bat-aware-this-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"GO Health reminds residents to be Bat-Aware this summer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Press release<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With August marking the peak of \u201cbat season,\u201d the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are reminding residents to be alert for bats in and around their homes. While bats are vital to the ecosystem, they can also carry the deadly rabies virus, making prompt action and awareness essential.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bats often enter homes, especially older ones that may not be properly sealed, during warm summer nights. \u201cIf you find a bat in your home, safely capture it and immediately contact the health department,\u201d advised Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for GO Health. \u201cWe can assess whether there was potential exposure and if the bat needs to be tested. If you cannot capture the bat, call the health department for guidance on the next steps to take.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appears, but is entirely preventable with prompt medical attention after exposure. However, bat bites can be very small and go unnoticed. If a bat is found in a room with someone sleeping, an unattended child, or a person unable to communicate (due to intoxication or disability), assume exposure occurred. Call the health department right away. \u201cBy avoiding contact with wild or stray animals and reporting any incidents involving bats or bites to your local health department, you can prevent unnecessary and costly medical treatments,\u201d says Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health. \u201cPrevention and awareness are key to staying safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Safely Capture a Bat for Rabies Testing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Turn on room lights and close all the windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Close the room and closet doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Wait for the bat to land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 While wearing thick leather-like gloves, place a coffee can, pail or similar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

container over the bat (Never handle a bat with your bare hands).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Slide a piece of cardboard under the container to trap the bat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Firmly hold the cardboard in place against the top of the container, turn it<\/p>\n\n\n\n

right side up and tape the cardboard tightly to the container.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 If you do not feel comfortable capturing the bat or cannot do it safely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

contact your respective health department during regular business hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 If it is after regular business hours, contact your local county dispatch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

o For Genesee County<\/strong>, call (585) 343-5000<\/p>\n\n\n\n

o For Orleans County<\/strong>, call (585) 589-5527<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch a short video on how to safely capture a bat, check out this GO Health Minute. How to Capture a Bat: GO Health Minute<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Rabies Prevention Tips<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Love your own, leave the rest alone: Do not touch, feed, or handle wild or stray animals, including raccoons, foxes, bats, or unfamiliar cats or dogs. Even baby animals can carry rabies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Vaccinate your pets: Keep rabies vaccinations current for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. This is not only to protect your pets but also acts as a safeguard for your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Follow leash laws: Keep your pets secured on a leash or inside a fenced area to reduce the chance of contact with potentially rabid animals. Avoid letting pets approach wildlife or unfamiliar animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rabies Vaccination Clinics with GO Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GO Health will be holding drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets in both Genesee and Orleans Counties. These clinics are free and help ensure the health and safety of your pets and your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesee County Rabies Drive-Thru Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Thursday, August 7, 2025 | 04:00 PM – 06:30 PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 04:00 PM – 06:30 PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orleans County Rabies Drive-Thru Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion, NY 14411)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 04:00 PM – 06:30 PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 09:00 AM – 11:30 AM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information on GO Health\u2019s programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow GO Health on Facebook, Instagram and X at GOHealthNY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Press release With August marking the peak of \u201cbat season,\u201d the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are reminding residents to be alert for bats in and around their homes. While bats are vital to the ecosystem, they can also carry the deadly rabies virus, making prompt action \u2026<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28712,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,6],"tags":[5266,3992],"class_list":["post-66321","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-genesee-county","category-orleans-county","tag-bat-season","tag-genesee-and-orleans-county-health-departments"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-hfH","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45475,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2023\/08\/08\/genesee-orleans-counties-bat-and-rabies-awareness\/","url_meta":{"origin":66321,"position":0},"title":"GENESEE\/ORLEANS COUNTIES\/Bat and Rabies Awareness","author":"aka","date":"August 8, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release It is early August and the height of summer, which often means the peak of \u201cbat season\u201d for local health departments and when people more commonly have encounters with bats. Bats can occasionally find their way into houses, particularly in older homes that are not properly sealed. This\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":54901,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/07\/16\/genesee-orleans-bat-and-rabies-awareness\/","url_meta":{"origin":66321,"position":1},"title":"GENESEE\/ORLEANS\/Bat and Rabies Awareness","author":"aka","date":"July 16, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release During the summer months, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) typically see an increase in reports from residents who have encountered bats. Bats can occasionally find their way into houses, particularly in older homes that are not properly sealed. This most often occurs during the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Gennesse County"","block_context":{"text":"Gennesse County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":27566,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2021\/08\/18\/genesee-orleans-health-dept-rabies-alert-and-bats-awareness-tips\/","url_meta":{"origin":66321,"position":2},"title":"GENESEE ORLEANS\/Health Dept.\/Rabies Alert and Bats Awareness Tips","author":"aka","date":"August 18, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release Rabies is a deadly but 100% preventable viral disease of mammals that is most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. Each year, the vast majority\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":51061,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/02\/26\/genesee-orleans-rabies-awareness-warning-from-health-department\/","url_meta":{"origin":66321,"position":3},"title":"GENESEE\/ORLEANS\/Rabies Awareness warning from Health Department","author":"aka","date":"February 26, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are warning residents to stay away from wild life and stray animals. \u201cDue to the mild winter and warmer temperatures, there has been a rise in the instances of people encountering wild animals and strays throughout Genesee and Orleans\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":65129,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/06\/06\/genesee-orleans-county-go-health-alerts-public-of-increased-bat-encounters\/","url_meta":{"origin":66321,"position":4},"title":"GENESEE\/ORLEANS COUNTY\/GO Health alerts public of increased bat encounters","author":"aka","date":"June 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"GO Health Alerts Public of Increased Bat Encounters Press release The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are alerting the public to a noticeable increase in bat encounters. As the weather gets warmer, bats become more active and may occasionally find their way into homes, particularly in older\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":63895,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/04\/21\/genesee-orleans-warmer-weather-brings-increased-risk-of-rabies-exposure\/","url_meta":{"origin":66321,"position":5},"title":"GENESEE\/ORLEANS\/Warmer weather brings increased risk of rabies exposure","author":"aka","date":"April 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release As the weather gets warmer, people are more likely to see wild and baby animals in their yards, parks, and wooded areas. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) want to remind residents to stay alert and cautious around wild, stray, and even baby animals. Rabies\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Gen-Co-Health.png?fit=127%2C112&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66321","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66321"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66321\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66325,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66321\/revisions\/66325"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28712"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66321"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66321"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66321"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}