Bats have been found in some units at The Mark Athens, UGA students report. The students got a series of painful rabies vaccine shots per the advice of the Georgia Department of Health following exposure.
Georgia is home to 16 species of bats, which play a key role in local ecosystems by controlling insect populations and are protected by several state laws. However, when they find their way into residential areas, a common occurrence in Athens, they carry the risks. They can spread rabies, which is almost always fatal if untreated, and histoplasmosis, a fungal infection from their waste droppings.
The students found the first creature in January, and then two more just in the last week. They request that their apartment complex management reimburse them for the several nights of motel costs incurred out of concern over bat exposure.
Management at The Mark Athens shared the following response:
“Last week, we were notified of bats in a unit at The Mark Athens. Our team immediately removed the bats, engaged a licensed wildlife specialist to inspect the unit, and addressed a potential entry point. Following a subsequent report, the unit was inspected again out of an abundance of caution. We have offered alternative accommodation options, including relocation to another unit and reimbursement for a hotel stay. The health and well-being of our residents is our top priority, and we will remain in close communication with the affected residents.”
