Maine CDC looking for several people who handled rabid bat

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BANGOR, Maine (AP) _ The Maine Center for Disease control is trying to locate several people who handled a rabid bat with their bare hands last weekend in Bangor.

The Maine CDC says the live bat was found near the Shaw House, a youth shelter, and was passed among several individuals who held it with their bare hands.

The Bangor Daily News reports that the bat was taken to the Acadia Wildlife Foundation in Bar Harbor, where a test showed it had rabies.

The Maine CDC says those who handled the bat may need to be treated.

Officials say bats that are active during the day, unable to fly, or are easily approached could be infected. Rabies is spread by direct skin contact with an infected animal.

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