The other week, reports of a rabid raccoon were found in the Raritan Township, which prompted alerts to avoid raccoons and other wild animals that could carry rabies. Now, a rabid bat is reportedly seen in San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
As previously reported, CDC says that bats were among the first on the list of reported rabies cases in 2018 with 33%. Followed by other rabies variants, such as raccoon (30.3%), skunks (20.3%), and foxes (7.2%).
Anyone in contact with any of these variants is advised to contact their local health agency to get proper treatment, like a post-exposure prophylaxis treatment.
Rabid Bat in San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Patch Media reported that the rabid bat was found alive in the Mombasa Island Pavilion in the park and was collected by their employee on Friday, June 25. The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency officials are now looking for anyone who may have come in contact with the bat which tested positive for rabies.
County public health officer Wilma Wooten said that human rabies is usually fatal if not given post-exposure prophylaxis treatment as soon as possible. But so far, there are no reports of human or animal contact with the rabid bat, even though it was found in an area where many park visitors may pass by. Nevertheless, county health officials still want to make sure that no one had contact with it.
Rabies can be transmitted via a bat's bite or if its saliva comes in contact with a cut or abrasion and mucous membranes, like the eyes, nose, and mouth. Wooten added that people should always stay away from bats and other wild animals, regardless of whether they are alive or dead, to prevent the possible transmission of viruses.
Those who come in contact with the rabid bat are urged to contact the county health agency at 619-692-8499.
Rabies in Bats
According to CDC, all 49 continental states of the US have documented rabid bats, while Hawaii remains rabies-free. Bats are considered the top reservoir for the rabies virus transmitted to humans, which can be minor, seemingly unimportant, or unrecognized bites from bats.
To prevent transmission, the health agency suggests that human and domestic animal contact should be minimized and that untrained and unvaccinated persons should not handle bats or keep them as pets.
But in case of contact with a possible rabid bat, the bat should be safely collected and submitted for a rabies diagnosis. Post-exposure prophylaxis treatment is recommended for people with bite, scratch, or mucous membrane exposure to a bat unless it is proven and tested negative for evidence of rabies.
Also, post-exposure prophylaxis treatment can be considered for people in a room with a bat but is unaware that a bat or direct contact had occurred, which may be the case when they are asleep or an adult witnesses a bat in the room with a previously unattended child, mentally disabled person, or intoxicated individual.
RELATED ARTICLE: Rabid Bat Discovered in Olbrich Park: Second in Dane County, Fourth in Wisconsin to Test Positive for Rabies
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