A rabies alert has been issued in part of Hall County after a rabid bat was found inside of a house in Gainesville.

The bat was found in a house Friday and has been shipped to the virology section of the Georgia Public Health Lab in Decatur.

Officials say this marks the fifth confirmed rabies case of 2013.

Hall County officials are encouraging pet owners to have their animals vaccinated at the Hall County Animal Shelter.

Tags: Gainesville, rabid, rabid bat, rabies