Investigations underway after bat found in public swimming pool

PUEBLO, Colorado (KKTV) – Last Thursday, the Pueblo Health and Environmental Department received a call that a bat was in Mineral Palace Pool. Health department employees rushed to the pool to find the animal, but when they got there, the bat was gone.

Because they were unable to find the bat, they were unable to determine whether or not it had rabies. Now the health department and pool operators are trying to determine who may have been in the water at the same time as the bat and who believes they came into contact with it. Both the health department and pool operators are working to share information with anyone who believes they came into contact with the animal so they can contact the health department to determine if any further action needs to be taken.

Scott Cowan, program manager with the Pueblo Department of Health and Environment, wants people to be aware that just because they were in the water at the same time as the bat does not automatically put them at risk of rabies infection.

“Rabies is a very sensitive virus outside the body and the only known ways of transmission are bites or sometimes scratches, so it’s quite rare. Therefore, anyone swimming in the water who may not have had direct contact with an animal is not considered at risk.”

Although a person who has not had direct contact with the bat may not be at risk, Cowan still wants to educate people on what to do if they come into contact with a wild animal, as rabies can cause problems.

“Once symptoms appear, rabies is a 100% fatal disease, and once symptoms appear, there are really very few treatment options available and they are largely unproven.”

Cowan also says it’s important to call the communicable disease emergency hotline at 583-4369 if you think you may have come into contact with this bat in Mineral Palace Pool.

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