Post by jonsdigs on Oct 6, 2006 7:11:05 GMT -5
Dead bat found with rabies
By Carrie May
Boomerang Staff Writer
A dead bat infected with rabies was recently found in the Washington Park area, according to the Laramie parks and recreation director.
Because of the discovery, the city of Laramie Parks and Recreation Department is warning Laramie residents to be cautious if they encounter bats.
“Bats are a major reservoir of rabies in Wyoming and can lead to infection of humans and animals,” said Dr. Richard Luce, Centers for Disease Control field officer with the Wyoming Department of Health. “While bats can be beneficial for insect control, they do present a serious public health threat when they inhabit structures where humans live or congregate.”
According to Paul Harrison, parks and recreation director, bats are migrational through Laramie. In the spring, summer and fall, they are quite common.
“I don’t know what the frequency of exposure is, but in the night and early morning, they can be seen once the sun goes down,” Harrison said.
Because bats do carry rabies, in an encounter, people should stand clear of even a dead bat and call Animal Control.
“It is just not worth the risk of a bite or a scratch because it is so infectious,” Harrison said.
Bats are typically not aggressive, but when they have rabies, they can be very unpredictable. All dead animals found by parks and recreation are tested for diseases, but it is alarming to have one come back positive for rabies, Harrison said.
“It can absolutely spread to pets as well,” he added.
Rabies is nearly always a fatal disease in humans, but it can be successfully prevented if treatment is started promptly after exposure.
According to Luce, transmission of rabies from bat to human may occur from bites, even if the bite is not recognized from scratches; from other physical contact that breaks a person’s skin, or from contact with a mucous membrane.
Luce, who is a veterinarian, said preventive treatment might be considered if there has been any physical contact with or handling a bat, even if bite marks are not seen.
Full Story:
www.laramieboomerang.com/news/more.asp?StoryID=105696
By Carrie May
Boomerang Staff Writer
A dead bat infected with rabies was recently found in the Washington Park area, according to the Laramie parks and recreation director.
Because of the discovery, the city of Laramie Parks and Recreation Department is warning Laramie residents to be cautious if they encounter bats.
“Bats are a major reservoir of rabies in Wyoming and can lead to infection of humans and animals,” said Dr. Richard Luce, Centers for Disease Control field officer with the Wyoming Department of Health. “While bats can be beneficial for insect control, they do present a serious public health threat when they inhabit structures where humans live or congregate.”
According to Paul Harrison, parks and recreation director, bats are migrational through Laramie. In the spring, summer and fall, they are quite common.
“I don’t know what the frequency of exposure is, but in the night and early morning, they can be seen once the sun goes down,” Harrison said.
Because bats do carry rabies, in an encounter, people should stand clear of even a dead bat and call Animal Control.
“It is just not worth the risk of a bite or a scratch because it is so infectious,” Harrison said.
Bats are typically not aggressive, but when they have rabies, they can be very unpredictable. All dead animals found by parks and recreation are tested for diseases, but it is alarming to have one come back positive for rabies, Harrison said.
“It can absolutely spread to pets as well,” he added.
Rabies is nearly always a fatal disease in humans, but it can be successfully prevented if treatment is started promptly after exposure.
According to Luce, transmission of rabies from bat to human may occur from bites, even if the bite is not recognized from scratches; from other physical contact that breaks a person’s skin, or from contact with a mucous membrane.
Luce, who is a veterinarian, said preventive treatment might be considered if there has been any physical contact with or handling a bat, even if bite marks are not seen.
Full Story:
www.laramieboomerang.com/news/more.asp?StoryID=105696