For the second time this month, San Diego County health officials are asking for the public's help in identifying people who handled a bat that later tested positive for rabies.
In the latest case, a group of five children discovered a bat around 11 a.m. Saturday, about 15 to 20 feet from the entrance of Pizza Nova on North Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos.
"The health and safety of these children and the public are our main concern," Dr. Eric McDonald, deputy county public health officer, said Tuesday. "We want to make absolutely sure that no one was potentially exposed to this deadly disease."
County health officials say people should never handle a bat or any other animal that might have rabies.
The disease is usually spread via animal bites, but in some instances can be passed to humans if the critter's saliva comes in contact with the mouth, nose or eyes, according to the county Health and Human Services Agency.
People who know the identity of the children, their parents or others who may have had contact with the bat are urged to contact the county health agency as soon as possible at (619) 692-8499.
Symptoms of rabies in people can take weeks to months to develop after exposure to a rabid animal has occurred. Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal, though prompt treatment following exposure to the virus will prevent the disease, according to the county.
The county also asked for the public's help to identify a man who touched a rabid bat at the Del Mar Mud Run on Oct. 4.
Health officials later found out who he was and he appears to be fine but is undergoing preventative rabies treatment as a precaution, according to the county.
