News

Bat found at Buttermilk Falls State Park tests positive for rabies

Bat found at Buttermilk Falls State Park tests positive for rabies

Photo: Saga Communications


ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – Health officials warn a bat has tested positive for rabies in Ithaca.

On August 22, the animal was found approximately 50 meters away from the swimming area at Buttermilk Falls State Park.

The bat was removed by park staff around 1 p.m. after reports that it was seen acting erratically on the ground earlier in the day.

There have been no reports of human contact with this bat, but if you or your pet has had contact with one, you are urged to call the Tompkins County Environmental Health Division at (607) 275-6688.

The Tompkins County Whole Department reminds the public to avoid contact with unfamiliar pets and wild animals, and keep your dogs, cats, and ferrets up to date on their vaccinations.

Click here to listen to Tompkins County Medical Director Dr. William Klepack discuss rabies and bats, including what to do if you find one in your home, on the August 27 edition of Ithaca’s Morning News.

Information from the Tompkins County Whole Health Department is also available here.

Recent Headlines

3 hours ago in Entertainment

‘SNL’ wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies

Barack Obama won his third career Emmy and Kendrick Lamar won his second, while the 50th season of "Saturday Night Live" was the biggest winner with 11 on the second night of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

3 days ago in Entertainment, Music

This year’s song of the summer is a ballad, not a banger. Here’s what that says about us

For the past 14 weeks and counting, the top Billboard spot has been held by a love ballad: Alex Warren's "Ordinary." As Berklee College of Music professor and forensic musicologist Joe Bennett notes, the February release is "a fair bit slower than the mean average for the Hot 100, or for a historical song of the summer."

3 days ago in Entertainment

Julia Roberts, Anna Wintour, Ralph Lauren and more pay tribute to Giorgio Armani

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani's work spanned the worlds of celebrity, fashion and power. His death announced Thursday at age 91 has elicited an outpouring of tributes.