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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials say a bat found hanging from the basket of a motorized wheelchair at an Albuquerque store has tested positive for rabies.
The bat was spotted Tuesday while the customer was at the checkout counter at a Wal-Mart Supercenter. Another person who helped remove the bat was bitten and will have to get a series of vaccinations.
State Health Secretary Retta Ward is asking that anyone who may have touched or handled the bat to call health officials.
She says just being near or in the vicinity of the bat isn't an exposure.
The Health Department is advising people to stay away from wild or unfamiliar animals. Officials say rabid animals may show no fear of people and many even seem friendly or become aggressive.
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