Furry flying mammals have caused the closure of an area school. An infestation of bats has caused the closure of Lasalle Parish Elementary School. The Louisiana Department of Health closed the Olla school on Monday.
LDH says the shutdown is because bats carry rabies and the bat guano can harbor disease. Bats have to be handled carefully. They are a protected species, it is illegal to kill them.
The school will reopen as soon as the bats are removed and the droppings are cleaned up. If the process takes too long, classes will be moved.