Officials in Monterey County are urging pet owners to ensure their animals are up to date on rabies vaccinations, after a bat in an unincorporated area tested positive for the virus.

In a statement Tuesday , officials said the positive case involves a Mexican free-tailed bat that was found in the Cachagua area on Sep. 29. Hitchcock Road Animal Services investigated the incident and determined there was exposure to pets.

Officials said the pets have been placed under quarantine. Meanwhile, the County of Monterey Health Department has not identified any potential human exposure to rabies.

Spread through animal bites, rabies affects the central nervous system of humans and other mammals. According to the World Health Organization , the disease is 100% fatal once symptoms appear.

County

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