Bat tests positive for rabies

The Franklin County Public Health Department recently received confirmation of a bat testing positive for rabies. The bat was captured and sent for testing after it had direct contact with an individual. Post-exposure treatment has been started for the individual affected. We are reminding the public to take steps to avoid contact with bats and other animals that may be infected with the rabies virus.

Rabies is a deadly disease. If left untreated, the course of the disease is invariably fatal. Rabies is most often seen in wildlife such as bats and raccoons. The virus that causes rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Cats, dogs, ferrets and livestock can also get rabies if they are not vaccinated and have contact with an infected animal. To limit the risk of being infected, we are asking the community to do the following:

Don’t feed, touch or adopt bats, wild animals, stray dogs or cats.

Be sure your dogs, cats and ferrets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, Vaccinated pets serve as a buffer between rabid wildlife and man. Protect them, and you may reduce your risk of exposure to rabies. Vaccines for dogs, cats and ferrets are effective for a one-year period, Revaccinations are effective for up to three years. Pets too young to be vaccinated should be kept indoors.

Don’t try to separate two fighting animals. Wear gloves if you handle your pet after a fight.

Keep family pets indoors at night. Don’t leave them outside unattended or let them roam free.

Encourage children to immediately tell an adult if they are bitten by any animal.

Tell children not to touch any animal they do not know.

If a wild animal is on your property, let it wander away. Bring children and pets indoors and alert neighbors who are outside. You may contact a nuisance control officer who will remove the animal for a fee.

Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to your county health

authority. Don’t let any animal escape that has possibly exposed someone to

rabies. It can be observed, or tested for rabies in order to avoid the need for rabies treatment. This includes bats with skin contact or found in a room with a sleeping person, unattended child, or someone with mental impairment. Bats have small, sharp teeth, and in certain circumstances people can be bitten and did not know it.

Don’t attract wild animals to your home or yard. Keep your property free of stored bird seed or other foods that may attract wild animals. Feed pets indoors. Tightly cap or put away garbage cans. Board up any openings to your attic, basement, porch or garage. Cap your chimney with screens.

Bats can be particularly difficult to keep out of buildings because they can get through cracks as small as a pencil. Methods to keep bats (bat proofing) out of homes and summer camps should be done during the fall and winter.

To report a bite from a wild animal or bat or for more information, contact the Franklin County Public Health Department at 481 -1710