Rabies Shots Urged for 950 Girl Scouts

[Kver33]

I think everyone should read this!!

LEESBURG, Va. (AP) -- Officials are recommending that nearly 1,000 Girl Scouts who may have been exposed to rabies at a Northern Virginia camp consider getting protective vaccinations.

There is only a small chance that any of the girls were infected by bats that were found in some of the sleeping shelters at Camp Potomac Woods, Loudoun County officials said.

But authorities are erring on the side of caution because around 1 percent of bats carry rabies, a viral disease that is incurable once symptoms appear. Bats can bite children in their sleep without waking them.

"We think the risk is extremely small, but we can't say there is no risk," Loudoun County Health Department Director David Goodfriend said. "Really, at the end of the day, it's the parents' decision of what level of risk they are willing to bear."

Full Story-
hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/R/RABIES_GIRL_SCOUTS?SITE=7219&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-08-06-07-28-42

I think the girl scouts have just entered the dark ages of education.

[Sharon Faulkner]

Wow...that sounds pretty drastic. Can't imagine why a camp counselor would catch a bat and let anyone pet it anyway.

Welcome to the forum Kver33.

[Kver33]

Welcome to the forum Kver33

Thanks Sharon,

Wait ... were you down at Lechuguilla and ended up on the El Paso newpaper front page? It was an article just on caving in Lech, I think it was a picture of a person rapping into the entrance. I remember the lady's name was Sharon.

[Sharon Faulkner]

I wish, but no, wasn't me. I haven't been to Lech, however I would certainly love to have an opportunity to go.

[L Roebuck]

Also here's a link to "CDC Bats and Rabies and Potential for Exposure at Summer Camps: What Parents Need to Know"

communitydispatch.com/artman/publish/article_5898.shtml