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TUCSON - A bat found outside the Pima County Juvenile Court building has tested positive for rabies.

Someone found the bat lying on the ground in the parking lot outside the main entrance around 3:00pm on September 12.

Health officials don't think anyone came into contact with the bat, but they're not taking any chances. They've put out a plea to the community for anyone who may have touched the bat to please come forward.

Rabies doesn't show up in humans until it's too late. Early symptoms may include a headache, a high temperature, irritability and sometimes itching or pain where the contact took place.

Eventually the disease spreads and the person can go through paralysis, throat spasms, convulsions, delirium and death.

If you or anyone you know touched or had contact with the rabid bat, you should call the Pima County Health Department immediately at 520-243-7797.

If you see a bat on the ground, do not touch it. Cover it with a box or container and immediately notify the Pima Animal Care Center at 520-243-5900.