Bats force UNC Health to shutdown childcare center in Smithfield

Friday, August 11, 2023
SMITHFIELD, N.C. (WTVD) -- A childcare center in the Johnston Medical Mall in Smithfield had to shutdown because of bats.

UNC Health Johnston's Early Learning Center (a daycare facility for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years) closed from July 31 until August 8, because a number of bats were found above the ceiling. UNC Health said a small number of those bats did make their way into rooms in the building.
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The bats were captured and removed by staff. Then, UNC Health paid a wildlife removal company to help ensure all the bats were gone and would not return.

However, video sent to ABC11 shows another bat inside the same building on August 11.
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"It is believed that a single bat which was seen in the south entrance vestibule today (8/11) entered from outside the building, not from the medical mall where the others had been previously," UNC Health said in a statement.

The wildlife removal company remains on site closing off possible access points.
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