FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - After a Fresno County resident died of rabies from a suspected bat bite in Merced County, the Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) is telling the public that prevention is key. Dr. Trinidad Solis is the deputy health officer for FCDPH and she confirmed on Tuesday that a Fresno County resident who was suspected to be bitten by a bat in Merced County died due to the rabies infection. The Assistant Director for FCDPH, Joe Prado says the resident who died was exposed to the infection by mid-October. He says there is information that they presented themselves to a Fresno County hospital in the emergency room and were provided medical treatment early last week. During the hospital stay, Prado says that the individual passed away on Nov. 22. According to Solis, the last time there was a human rabies case in Fresno County was in 1992. Solis says that once symptoms develop, there is no cure for rabies, so prevention is key to preventing the infection. In order to prevent the infection, Solis listed a few ways that people can prevent it: Vaccinating pets. Take precautions around wildlife, to avoid touching wildlife. The most common animals that have the infection are bats, skunks and others, according to Solis. Look for warning signs of animals having rabies, such as abnormal behaviors. Solis says if an individual was bitten by a wild animal it's very important for them to wash the area with soap and water and go to their healthcare provider as soon as possible. The medical provider will assess the situation and the wound of the individual and see if that person's at risk was high to be exposed to rabies. Solis says if that's the case, the medical provider will offer a series of vaccines that will prevent the infection. She says the goal is to offer the vaccination before someone develops symptoms. Solis says it takes four to eight weeks for someone who was exposed to rabies for symptoms to develop. "Rabies is 100% preventable if individuals seek medical care right away after possibly if they're not sure they were bitten or weren't to talk to their medical provider," she said. Solis also says to call the local animal control because they can assist with capturing an animal and testing it for rabies. Fresno County Department of Public Health is communicating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health on various issues regarding the investigation and vaccine supply. The last human case of rabies confirmed in Fresno County was in 1992.