Bats evicted from Ardrey Kell High. No rabies but 1 human ‘exposure’ reported
Bats found in Ardrey Kell High School tested negative for rabies and health officials determined one person was “exposed,” the school district confirmed Thursday afternoon.
Ardrey Kell students will return to campus Friday after the school building closed for two days to evict the bats and sanitize the school.
Earlier this week, a Mecklenburg County public health spokeswoman said the bat intrusion was under investigation and there was “no evidence of human exposure.”
In total, there were about 22 bats found dead and alive, the Observer reported previously, citing health officials. On Thursday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control officials updated the number to 21 and said, as of the day prior, 17 of those had been tested for rabies in a state lab.
State lab tests found none of the animals had rabies, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and animal control officials confirmed in statements.
But it’s not clear if the person deemed to have been exposed has been tested for rabies or has had adverse health issues. The school district’s statement said “No further details can be shared.”
CMS said a pair of bats first showed up in March, and the school quickly closed a gap suspected of being the bats’ entry.
This week, it fixed other parts of the building and announced it will seal the roof line over the next two weeks. Students will go on their summer break in about a month.
The school district says the bat problem did not constitute a “bat colony.”
“Bat guano was not detected during the inspection of the school. However, as a precaution, the building is being thoroughly sanitized with green seal certified products approved by the EPA,” according to the statement from CMS.
This story was originally published April 20, 2023 at 5:18 PM.
