The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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April 11, 2008

HISD to discuss bat sightings at meeting Monday

By Kristin Edwards

The Huntsville Independent School District will host an informational meeting concerning the recent sightings of bats in the area at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Mance Park Middle School Auditorium.

Representatives from the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Huntsville Police Department will be present at the meeting to provide factual information concerning the school district’s bat situation.

According to HISD assistant superintendent John DeBrock, at least six bats – which have been tested and found both with and without rabies – have been seen on campuses around the district within the past two months.

“During the meeting, attendees will learn about bats that are in our area, cautions that should be taken around them, and how HISD is handling the bat situation around the school district,” said LeeAn Muns, HISD public information officer.

According to DeBrock, the meeting will be divided into three segments, each providing different information about both the bats which have been seen on HISD campuses in recent months and the health effects of coming in contact with them.

“We’ll begin with a segment by a Sam Houston State University representative,” DeBrock said. “He’ll be doing a presentation on bats of Texas, focusing on the species of bats that are seen in Walker County. Then, we’ll have Paul Grunenwald, the zoonosis control veterinarian for the Texas Department of State Health Services. That segment of the presentation will address the medical concerns which arise from being around bats.

“Finally, Sgt. James Fitch of the HPD will talk about local animal control efforts.”

In light of the recent group of bat sightings at HISD campuses in the last two months, DeBrock said the meeting was organized to give parents and community members trustworthy, factual information.

“What we’re looking for is to get factual information to our parents so they don’t have to rely on rumors and tall tales,” he said. “We’re providing this information from experts in the field so parents and community members can deal with wildlife from an informed standpoint.”

While several bats have been seen on HISD property, only two male students from Gibbs Elementary have made contact with the animals.

Following the contact, the decision was made for the two students to undergo a series of shots as a precaution against any possible onset of rabies symptoms.

“These two male students are the only ones who have made contact with any of the bats, and while they never displayed any symptoms of rabies, they went through the shot series as a precaution,” DeBrock said. “From what I understand, this treatment knocks out the danger of these two students having rabies.”



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