(ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL) – Officials in St. Lucie County are urging residents to dodge contact with bats after they say a bat-related incident took places at The Landings in Tradition.

The Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County is currently providing treatment to individuals who have been exposed to a bat by accidental contact, a bite, or a scratch.

The department said in case of exposure the individual should seek treatment immediately to avoid the risk of rabies. “The only preventative treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization,” said the DOH.

Florida residents and visitors are asked to avoid contact with wildlife.

For more information visit https://myfwc.com/conservation/youconserve/wildlife/bats/bats-in-buildings/

Anyone who has been exposed to a bat is asked to contact DOH-St. Lucie County at 772-462-3883, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. On weekends or after hours, please call 772-462-3800.