A group of teenagers reportedly touched the bat, which later tested positive for rabies.
SAN MARCOS, Texas — The city of San Marcos has issued a health alert after a possible rabies exposure on Saturday afternoon.
San Marcos Animal Protection officers responded to the Tanger Outlet Malls around 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 2 after a live bat was found on the ground near the Le Creuset store.
The bat was collected and has since tested positive for rabies.
The caller who reported the bat told Animal Services they saw a group of teenagers touch the bat, but the group left before officers arrived.
According to the CDC, bats are the most commonly reported animals to have rabies and most people who die of rabies in the U.S. were exposed to it by bats.
Anyone who may have come into contact with the bat is asked to call Animal Services at 512-805-2655 as soon as possible so that post-exposure treatment can be provided.