Bat rescued from drowning at Shelley Lake tests positive for rabies
WRAL News
Last updated: September 8, 2026
A bat rescued from drowning at Shelley Lake has tested positive for rabies. This incident marks the third confirmed case of rabies in the area this year.
The rescued bat was found in distress at Shelley Lake and subsequently underwent testing.
The test results confirmed the presence of the rabies virus in the bat.
This marks the third instance of a rabies-positive animal identified in the region during the current year.
Further details regarding the specific circumstances of the rescue or the bat's health prior to its discovery are not provided.
The confirmation of rabies in this bat serves as an important public health notification.
No information is available regarding potential human or animal contact with the rabid bat.
The frequency of rabies cases in the area is highlighted by this being the third confirmed instance this year.
The location of the incident, Shelley Lake, is identified as the site where the bat was found.
The positive rabies test indicates a potential risk to other wildlife and unvaccinated domestic animals.
Public health advisories or recommended precautions are not detailed in the provided text.
The bat's condition, described as "drowning," suggests it was in a state of distress or incapacitation when found.
The confirmation is based on laboratory testing.
No other animals tested positive for rabies in relation to this specific incident.
The article focuses solely on the individual bat's rabies diagnosis and its significance as the third case of the year.
