Yosemite National Park says a dead big brown bat found outside the Curry Village Showerhouse on May 18 has tested positive for rabies. The park reports no known human contact, but anyone who may have directly touched a bat in that area around the date should contact the California Department of Public Health and a healthcare provider promptly.
Bat bites and scratches can be small and difficult to notice. Direct contact can also include a bat landing on clothing or brushing exposed skin or hair. Visitors should never handle a bat, living or dead, and should instead keep their distance and notify park staff.
The notice should not be read as evidence that bats generally pose a high risk. Yosemite is home to 17 bat species that provide important ecological benefits, and the park says only a very small share of tested bats are positive each year.
The practical message is specific: avoid contact, report unusual encounters and seek professional guidance promptly after a possible exposure.
Source: National Park Service