A bat that was found hanging from the basket of a motorized wheelchair at Wal-Mart at 10224 Coors Bypass NW in Albuquerque has tested positive for rabies.

According to the state Department of Health, the bat was found at about 9 am. It was found on Tuesday, when a customer was at the checkout counter at the Wal-Mart supercenter, which is located just northwest of Cottonwood Mall. According to health officials, a person who assisted in removing the bat from the cart was attacked by the bat and bitten; it is said that the person will start receiving a series of vaccinations for rabies, which could be lethal if not treated.

According to Health Secretary Retta Ward, “We would like anyone who may have touched this bat or handled it in any way to give us a call so we can interview them for possible exposure to rabies. Just being near or in the vicinity of the bat is not an exposure”.

People who touched or handled the bat are told to call the Department of Health. A spokesman told the Journal that a person who was driving the motorized wheelchair was among those who came in contact with the bat. After some time the person left the premises after paying for groceries.

According to Dr. Paul Ettestad, public health veterinarian with the department, in New Mexico, skunks, bats, and foxes are reservoirs for rabies, and rabies could be transmitted by them to people, livestock, pets or other animals.