The Disturbing Discovery of a Rabid Bat in an NAU Dorm Room
It’s every parent’s nightmare when they drop their kids off at college – the thought of all the potential dangers lurking in dorm rooms. However, for one Tucson mother, the fear became all too real when her daughter discovered a rabid bat inside her dorm room at Northern Arizona University (NAU).
Pamela Jonikas, the concerned mother, expressed her fear and frustration over the situation, stating, “There’s lots of things to worry about when you send your daughter off to college. You don’t figure rabid bats are going to be one of them.”
As we approach October, it’s not early Halloween decorations that are causing a stir at NAU. The bats seen in the dorms are very real, with one sophomore finding a bat that tested positive for rabies. While not all bats are immediately dangerous, the CDC reports that bats are the most commonly reported animal to have rabies in the U.S.
When Evelyn, Pamela’s daughter, found the bat in her dorm room, she took quick action by calling animal control. The bat was caught and confirmed to have rabies. Since then, Evelyn claims there have been at least four other bats in the building, though it has not been confirmed if they also carry rabies.
Despite disappointment in the university’s response time and action, an email was eventually sent out to students warning them about the rabid bats. Evelyn and her friends have already started rabies shots, with two more to go, and Pamela is hopeful they won’t encounter any more bats in the meantime.
NAU responded to the situation, stating, “NAU and Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) received notice of a bat in Mountain View Hall, which was found and removed and then tested positive for rabies. Following guidance from CCHHS, NAU brought in a pest control specialist for mitigation.”
As the university continues to monitor the situation, they assure residents of Mountain View Hall that they are taking appropriate steps for mitigation and remediation. Updates and guidance will be shared as needed.
