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Bats seen inside Albuquerque Presbyterian Hospital
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It’s a little early for Halloween, but some bats are already making waves in Albuquerque.
Bats have been seen inside Presbyterian Hospital, and the hospital is working with a vendor and steps have been taken to prevent further entry, according to hospital officials.
Jon Wade, the chief executive at Presbyterian Hospital, said Monday that bats have been seen in the hospital, and hospital employees have captured them.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of our patients and workforce while delivering quality care. Bats have been seen in Presbyterian Hospital, and our teams have humanely captured and removed them,” Wade said. “We are working with a vendor, and remediation has occurred with the goal to prevent further entry.”
Wade said the hospital has worked closely with the New Mexico Department of Health to evaluate any possible exposure to hospital employees or patients.
“We have offered preventive treatment to those individuals who may have had a possible exposure, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the NMDOH,” he said. “There is no evidence of any direct contact between a bat and a patient.”
The bulk of the sightings began Thursday, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Bats are the most commonly reported animal in the U.S. to have rabies, according to the CDC’s website. The center recommends that people maintain a safe distance from bats.
