A bat found Saturday, Sept. 8, at University Community Park in Irvine has tested positive for rabies, the Orange County Health Care Agency reported Wednesday.

The bat was found about noon near 1 Beech Tree Lane. The Health Care Agency is advising anyone who may have come in contact with the bat to call the agency’s epidemiology team at 714-834-8180 during work hours, or 714-834-7792 after hours to evaluate the risk of contracting rabies.

The rabies virus is found in an animal’s saliva and can be transmitted to humans through a bite. Most cases of human rabies in the U.S. originate from bats, the Health Care Agency said. By the time a person begins showing symptoms or signs of rabies, the virus is generally fatal.

To minimize risk of rabies, the Health Care Agency offers these tips:

• Avoid all contact with wild animals.
• Vaccinate your pets against rabies.
• Don’t sleep with open windows or doors that don’t have screens.
• If you spot a bat, close off the area and call animal control.
• Wash all animal bites with soap and water, flush the wound and then call a doctor.