Buffalo's Best Bat Removal

Do All Bats Carry Rabies?

Bats get a bad reputation. In general, humans are more likely to contract the plague or leprosy than being infected with rabies from bats. The virus can be contracted by any number of mammals, including dogs and cats, which we keep as pets. To prevent rabies, it is important to keep up to date with local rabies vaccines for domestic animals and to investigate how to deal with bats, healthy or otherwise.

What Is Rabies?

Rabies is a virus that affects the brain and is usually fatal. Rabies is almost always contracted through a bite. Other extremely rare options of exposure include open wounds that come in contact with infected saliva, accidentally touching infected nervous tissues then touching the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth, or similar occurrences. The most common method of contracting any potential disease or virus is often from the careless handling of bats, specifically.

The incubation period for showing signs of infection can last days or weeks. When the first signs do appear, they are like the flu. You might feel a general weakness or discomfort, contract a fever, or get a headache that can last for days. Some people also feel discomfort or a prickling or itching sensation at the bite site.

The next stage begins cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, or agitation. As the virus progresses, it can cause delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, hydrophobia, and insomnia. All this usually takes between two to ten days and is nearly always fatal. There are less than twenty documented cases of survival and of those cases, only a few had no pre- or post-exposure treatment against rabies.

Rabies in Other Mammals

All mammals have the potential to contract or carry rabies. The most common that have been reported include foxes, coyotes, skunks, dogs, cats, raccoons, some livestock, and even bats. Specifically, bats are not asymptomatic carriers. Less than half of 1 percent of all bats may contract rabies at all. There are zero to two human deaths from bat rabies reported in the United States per year. Comparatively, 99 percent of deaths from rabies are caused by rabid dogs. It is highly imperative to prevent the spread of rabies to get your domestic pets vaccinated. Currently, vaccinations have made cases of cat or dog rabies rare.

Rabies in Bats

Reported bat bites have been said to feel like needle jabs. Most people, especially those who are alert and awake, will know when they have been bitten. Bats have small sharp teeth that leave equally small marks, which can be missed. It is important to check with your family physician or an emergency care facility if you are suspicious of a bite from any animal. If you happen to see a bat in a room with you and you just woke up, find one with a child who was alone, or by someone who is intoxicated or mentally impaired, seek medical advice as soon as possible. If you suspect the bat has bitten anyone, keep it from leaving the area in a safe manner. This allows officials to check it for rabies. Do not touch the bat bare-handed.

Misconceptions About Bats

There are some misconceptions as to how rabies can be transferred. Rumors include seeing a bat in an attic, in a cave, or at a distance, none of which are risks for rabies. Handling bat guano, blood, urine, or touching their fur will not transfer rabies. However, there are other diseases, infections, or viruses that can be transferred in this way. There is also no evidence that bats have triggered an outbreak of the virus in other animals. As such, large bat colonies do not lead to higher cases of rabies either.

Misinformation

Mass media and health agencies are usually the most common sources of misinformation regarding bats and rabies. Their grossly over-exaggerated version of events is not always fact-based and often causes more issues. People believe that they can handle the nocturnal creatures because they are so small. It is important not to handle a bat bare-handed and to consult professional wildlife experts regarding bats that might be sick.

Prevention

The best method of rabies prevention is education and common sense. Another beneficial option is to encourage domestic pet vaccinations. If you are still worried, consult bat experts and never handle any bats bare-handed. 90 to 95 percent of sick bats are not rabid, but rather have pneumonia or white-nose syndrome. Injections for post-exposure rabies treatment now are administered in the upper arm or thigh and are like an annual flu shot.