BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — Health officials in eastern Nebraska have confirmed this year’s first case of rabies in Sarpy and Cass counties.

The Sarpy/Cass Health Department announced Friday that a bat found in Bellevue, south of Omaha, was infected with rabies.

Rabies is a viral disease transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal that affects people. It is almost always fatal if not treated before symptoms appear.

Symptoms in animals include general sickness, swallowing problems and excessive drooling, slow and unusual movement, no apparent fear of humans and aggression.