SAN ANTONIO -- Rabies cases in the middle of the winter might sound uncommon but, experts say thats not always true. This time of year downtown areas are hot spots to find an unwanted pest.

"You have to be very passionate to help the ones who cannot speak," Animal Care Services Bite Investigator Sabrina Oyervides said.

Sabrina Oyervides became involved with San Antonio's Animal Care Services in high school back in 2011.

"I've always wanted to since I was little," Oyervides said.

She worked her way up from volunteer to bite investigator. As part of her job, she helps spread awareness about how to stay healthy an avoid rabies.

"We're still constantly getting bite exposure reports from clinics, hospitals, over the phone, and through 3-1-1," Oyervides said.

Most of those exposure reports come from bats. In the winter, bats are not very healthy. 

"But the sick ones, that's when they start falling and dying and because it's so cold they can't move or anything like that. So that's why we're getting sick bats on the floor, on the ground," she said.

Oyervides said the recent death of a 6-year-old Florida boy from rabies, sends a message.

"It's very scary. It's a few states away from us which means it's here, it could happen anywhere. When we heard that, it was no joke," Oyervides said.

In 2017 ACS recorded nearly 3,500 total bite cases and Metro Health tested 367 animals for rabies -- of those 20 tested positive.

From January to June of 2017 in Travis County -- 34 animals tested positive for rabies.

High risk animals for the virus include bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, coyotes.

Oyervides said it's important to keep in mind where they belong.

"Don't touch. They're not meant to be pets. They're wildlife and meant to left alone," Oyervides said.

Any exposure should be taken very seriously. With bats, their teeth and claws are so small that if you were touched, it might not even leave a mark.

Anyone who has reason to believe that they've come in contact with rabies should see a doctor immediately.