A bat in Pueblo County has tested positive for rabies and three people who had contact with the animal are being vaccinated to prevent their infection, health officials said Thursday.
The Pueblo City-County Health Department says the bat is the first to test positive for rabies in the area this year.
The disease has been found in wild skunks, foxes and bats throughout Pueblo County in past years, officials said.
, Jefferson County Public Health announced a second skunk in its coverage area had tested positive for rabies after a first was discovered recently in Arvada.
Last week, the Tri-County Health Department exposing two pets to the virus in Aurora.
Rabies can spread to people or their pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, according to the health department.
Symptoms in animals can include strange behavior, such as wildlife coming out during the daytime when they normally come out at night, or wildlife having trouble walking, flying, eating or drinking.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or @JesseAPaul
