News Summary

The Douglas County School District has closed multiple properties in Minden, Nevada, due to a bat infestation that tested positive for rabies and fungal spores. Precautionary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of staff and visitors, including the closure of the district office and surrounding areas. Departments have been relocated temporarily while pest control works to address the issue. Residents are advised to avoid contact with bats and maintain pet rabies vaccinations during this health concern.

Minden, Nevada: Douglas County School District Closes Properties Due to Bat Infestation Testing Positive for Rabies

The Douglas County School District has recently closed several of its properties due to a significant bat infestation at one of its locations. The infestation is located at 1638 Mono Avenue in Minden, Nevada, where bats have tested positive for both rabies and fungal spores that are known to cause histoplasmosis, a serious respiratory infection.

As a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the health and safety of staff and visitors, several specific areas have been closed. These include the district office, the dog park located on County Road, as well as the playground and basketball court adjacent to the district office. Although the school district has communicated that the risk to the public remains low, potential exposure to the bats can pose serious health concerns.

The closure of the district office came after staff members reported a strong odor and sightings of bats leaving the building. The bats were identified to be living within the walls of the office structure. Fortunately, there have been no reports of staff members having direct contact with the bats.

To address this issue, the district is collaborating with pest control services to effectively remove the bats and thoroughly clean the affected areas. In the meantime, several departments from the office have been temporarily relocated to Gardnerville Elementary School, which is located at 1290 Toler Ave. Departments affected include Superintendent, Business Services, Human Resources, Accounts, Grants, AGPM, and front desk services. Additionally, Education Services, Inclusive Education, and Communications have been moved to the historic Gardnerville Elementary School building.

Local residents are urged to avoid any direct interaction with bats, refrain from disturbing areas that may contain bat droppings, and ensure that pets are kept leashed and away from wildlife. This advice is crucial as the Nevada Department of Agriculture cites that bat activity tends to increase from May through October, with annual reports indicating 10 to 20 confirmed cases of rabies in bats. Positive rabies cases have also previously been detected in bat populations in nearby Carson City and Washoe County.

Maintaining rabies vaccinations for pets is strongly encouraged. Rabies can be transmitted from bats to humans and domestic animals, emphasizing the importance of vigilant pet health care. Individuals who believe they may have come into contact with bats or their droppings are advised to seek appropriate medical assistance or veterinary care.

The school district has committed to providing updates regarding the situation on its official website, www.dcsd.net, as the resolution of the bat infestation progresses. Community members are encouraged to stay informed and adhere to safety recommendations during this period.

This event highlights the critical intersection of public health and wildlife management, underscoring the importance of remaining aware of local wildlife and potential health impacts.

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Additional Resources

• KOLO TV: Bats Force Closure of Some Douglas County School District Properties
• Wikipedia: Bats
• Record Courier: Bat Infestation Closes Douglas School Administration Building
• Google Search: Bat Infestation
• Record Courier: Bat with Rabies Confirmed in Carson City
• Google Scholar: Rabies in Bats
• 2 News: Bats Found Prompt Temporary Closure of Douglas County School District Office Property
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Rabies
• Los Angeles Times: Create a Bat Habitat Garden
• Google News: Bats in Nevada