Students reported seeing the bats in their off-campus apartments near the University of Georgia
Credit: Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Bats reportedly infested an off-campus housing complex near the University of Georgia
- Students living in the apartments received rabies vaccinations as a precautionary measure
- Management for the building said in a statement to WSB-TV that they “addressed a potential entry point” for the bats
A group of University of Georgia students living in off-campus housing found themselves with unwelcome house guests—bats.
The bats were discovered in The Mark, an off-campus housing complex for some students of University of Georgia in Athens, Ga., according to local outlet WSB-TV. Bats are common in the area and there are bat shelters available, according to the outlet.
“Last week, we were notified of bats in a unit at The Mark Athens," management for the building said in a statement to WSB-TV and WUGA. "Our team immediately removed the bats, engaged a licensed wildlife specialist to inspect the unit, and addressed a potential entry point."
"Following a subsequent report, the unit was inspected again out of an abundance of caution," the statement continued. "We have offered alternative accommodation options, including relocation to another unit and reimbursement for a hotel stay. The health and well-being of our residents is our top priority, and we will remain in close communication with the affected residents.”
PEOPLE has reached out to The Mark for comment.
“I came to the realization it was a bat clinging to the bottom of my comforter,” UGA student Amanda Nolan told the outlet after explaining that she and her roommates first found a bat in their unit in January. Nolan said they found two more in March.
“It was on the ground less than foot from me, it crept from under the fridge while I was making breakfast,” another student, Kate Minichiello, told WSB-TV. “It was very jarring, and after we saw its paws, we confirmed it was a bat."
“A little bit later, I heard the sound of flapping wings, that’s when I really freaked out,” Claire Stockman told the outlet.
Credit: Getty
Some bats have been known to carry rabies, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). "Bats has been considered as natural reservoirs of several highly pathogenic viruses, including Ebola virus, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, Nipah virus, and Hendra viruses," according to the NIH.
As a precautionary measure as it is unclear whether the bats living in The Mark carried rabies, several students living there received rabies vaccinations at the recommendation of the Georgia Department of Health, per WSB-TV.
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Minichiello told WSB-TV she was potentially bitten on her hand in her sleep, and has received several rounds of vaccinations in case the bat carried the infectious disease.
“I had been injected four different ways in my hand. It’s the most painful thing I have honestly gone through,” Minichiello said.
Nolan told WRDW that the bat removed in January was never tested. She said the rabies treatments were costly.
“I had to get eight shots all around my body the first time,” Nolan told WRDW. “Then we had three more appointments after that for additional shots.”
PEOPLE has reached out to UGA for comment.
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