The Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) is asking the public’s help to locate a woman who may have been exposed to rabies.

At approximately 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, witnesses at the Walmart at 4700 E. Palm Valley Blvd. say a white female, possibly in her 20s, wearing shorts, flip flops, and a blue-colored shirt, was bitten by a bat as she was leaving the store. Round Rock Animal Control investigators were called to the store but the bat was released before they arrived and the potential victim had left the store.

Investigators have been unable to determine if the bat was infected with the rabies virus.

Prompt medical evaluation for rabies prophylaxis is vital so if anyone has information about the identity of the woman, please contact WCCHD at 512-943-3660. For reporting after-hours, weekends, or holidays, call 512-864-8387.

Public health officials always urge anyone who has been bitten by an animal to contact a doctor or health care provider right away.

Rabies exposure occurs only when a person is bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal, or when abrasions, open wounds, or mucous membranes are contaminated with the saliva, brain, or nervous system tissue of a potentially rabid animal. It may take several weeks or longer for people to show symptoms after being infected with rabies. The early signs of rabies can be fever or headache, but this changes quickly to nervous system signs such as confusion, sleepiness, or agitation.

Once someone with a rabies infection has the advanced symptoms, that person usually does not survive.

For more information contact: Round Rock Animal Control at 512-218-5500, or the Texas Department of State Health Services disease control hotlines: 1-800-705-8868 or 1-800-252-8239.