Rabies
09/10/08

A few people die of rabies each year in the United States, usually because they do not realize the risk of rabies exposure from wild animals. Worldwide, this preventable disease kills 55,000 people annually, over half of which are children under the age of 15. Most recent cases of human rabies in the United States have been from exposure to rabid bats. In Texas, the late summer and fall is the peak time for human rabies exposure from contact with indigenous bats.

Bats are not blind. They are neither rodents nor birds. They will not suck your blood -- and most do not have rabies. Bats play key roles in ecosystems around the globe, from rain forests to deserts, especially by eating insects, including agricultural pests. Our best protection is to learn more about their habits and recognize the value of living safely with them.

Bite wounds are, by far, the most common way the virus is transmitted. Bats, or other wild animals, should never be handled. Teach your children this simple fact at an early age. The most easily approached bats are the most likely to be rabid. That is, if they are sick they may not be able to fly or may be found in unusual places or during daylight hours (bats are normally nocturnal).

If you think you or one of your pets may have been exposed to rabies you should seek medical or veterinary advice. Wash the exposed area with soap and water thoroughly, (this is quite effective at killing the virus). If possible the animal known to have caused the exposure should be safely captured and submitted for rabies examination. Confirmation of rabies infection can only be done at a laboratory by examination of brain tissue. When capturing an animal for rabies exam the head must remain intact.

Post exposure “globulin” injections are available for people with known or suspected exposure, though supply of this life saving medication is currently very low. The best prevention is to be sure your pets are currently and properly vaccinated and by avoiding exposure. Let wild animals be wild.