OMAHA, Neb. — Nebraska zoo says, around 200 individuals may have been exposed to a rabid bat while staying overnight at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
On July 4, a camper awoke to a wild bat buzzing over her head. She had no bites or scrapes, according to a zoo emergency medical technician.
Seven wild bats were discovered in the aquarium and were killed by the zoo. One of the people tested positive for rabies.
Guests that visited the aquarium during the day need not be alarmed, according to Animal Health Director Dr. Sarah Woodhouse, because bats only come out at night.
The zoo’s workers found no evidence of long-term bat roosting at the aquarium. While the staff tries to figure out how the bats got into the facility, the zoo has shifted all overnight camping activities elsewhere.