DHEC: Did you know it’s International Bat Week?
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is asking students across the state to participate in this year's drawing contest and urging teachers to educate them about the benefits of bats.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)— The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is asking students across the state to participate in this year’s drawing contest and urging teachers to educate them about the benefits of bats.
Students participating in the contest should illustrate what to do in case they, or anyone else they know, including pets, find or make direct contact with a bat.
Although bats have a bad reputation for carrying and transmitting the rabies virus, DHEC officials say not every bat is infected with rabies, they are still an important part of the state’s ecosystems and the mammals help humans by eating thousands of mosquitoes and other insects every day.
In a release, DHEC’s Rabies Program Team Lead Terri McCollister says, “This year’s campaign to engage students is another opportunity to educate and spread awareness about bats, who unfortunately, have a generally bad reputation. We are excited to receive the entries and share the winners during bat week.”
For more information about the drawing contest and list of events being held to celebrate bat week, visit: DHEC’s webpage.
Winners will be featured on DHEC’s social media throughout the week (Oct. 24-Oct. 31).
