Rabid Bats a Risk to Humans and Pets
Contact: Chana Goussetis, Health Communications Specialist,
303-441-1457
Boulder, Colo. – Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) is warning
residents not to handle bats after three tested positive for rabies in
Boulder County so far this summer. One person was treated for exposure
to a bat that had tested positive for the disease.
Bats are the most common animal source of rabies in Colorado. On
average, about 15 percent of bats submitted for testing test positive
for the disease. Other wild animals that may carry rabies include
skunks, raccoons, and foxes.
Humans can get the disease from the bite or scratch of an animal with
rabies (a rabid animal). Rabies is an infectious viral disease that
affects the nervous system and is always fatal unless it is treated
before any symptoms appear.
“People are most commonly exposed when they pick a bat off the ground,
try to remove a bat from their house or take a bat from a family pet,”
said Bonnie Greenwood, BCPH Environmental Health Specialist. “It is
important that people avoid picking up or handling bats. It is also
important that your pets’ rabies vaccinations are up to date since pets
are often the first to encounter a bat.”
Pets that are exposed to rabid animals and don’t have up-to-date
vaccinations for rabies are required to be held in an approved
quarantine site for 90 days, often costing more than $1,000. If the pet
is un-vaccinated, euthanasia may be recommended.
“It is normal to find a bat hanging under the eaves of a house, under a
porch overhang, or hidden behind shutters or gutters,” said Greenwood.
“But, if you see one in the house or on the ground, please be cautious.
Because bats are active mostly at night, seeing one during the day is a
good indication that something is wrong.”
Treatment to exposure involves a series of five injections given in the
arm over a 28 day period. Exposure is generally a bite or scratch by an
infected animal, and sometimes is almost undetectable, such as a tiny
puncture of the skin from a bat.
Public Health officials recommend the following precautions be taken to
reduce your risk of exposure to rabies:
- Do not disturb or touch any bat found outdoors.
- If you find a bat indoors and if you are absolutely certain no
pets or people had contact with the bat, confine the bat to a room
and open an outside window or door to let it escape.
- If there is any possibility that a person or pet may have had
contact with the bat -- such as waking up to find a bat in the room
-- the bat should be carefully captured for testing. Wear heavy
leather gloves, wait until the bat lands, place a coffee can or box
over it, slide a piece of cardboard underneath it, and tape it down
securely. Bats can escape through very small openings.
- If a person or pet has been bitten or has had contact with the
bat, or if you encounter an abnormal acting or obviously injured
bat, contact the local animal control agency or Boulder County
Public Health to arrange for testing of the bat and seek medical
care immediately.
For more information call Boulder County Public Health at
303-441-1564.
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