Bats in Longmont Test Positive for Rabies, Pet Owners Should Have Up to Date Vaccination: Boulder County Public Health Officials

Residents in Longmont, Colorado were alarmed after a bat found in Thompson Park near Fourth Avenue and Pratt Street has tested positive for rabies. Bats are the leading cause of rabies deaths in the country and people, as well as their pets, are advised to avoid contact with bats.

But after the news of the rabid bat, residents are concerned that their pet might have come into contact with the bat. The city has collected the bat and submitted it to Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) for testing. Bats and skunks are the most common sources of rabies in Colorado.

Rabid Bat in Longmont, Colorado

BCPH said that rabies increasing in wildlife in Boulder County, which puts humans and animals at risk. There is no available cure for rabies and it is nearly always fatal if left untreated.

Carol McInnes, BCPH environmental health specialist, pointed out that more people and pets are outdoors as temperatures are getting warmer and bats are getting highly active. She also reminded the public to take extra care and avoid interacting with animals and make sure that pets' vaccinations are up to date.

In case a person or an animal may have been bitten by a rabid animal, Fox 31 reported that the wound should be immediately and thoroughly cleansed with soap and water and seek medical attention. McInnes added that if there is any chance that a child or a pet has come in contact with a bat, urgently contact BCPH by calling 303-441-1564.

Rabies is an infectious disease that affects the nervous system and is fatal even if symptoms do not appear immediately. Exposure to rabies could come from a bite or scratch from an infected animal.

How to Tell When A Bat Has Rabies

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bats are the leading cause of rabies deaths in the US, and rabid bats have been found in all 49 states, except for Hawaii which remains rabies-free. That means that not all bats have rabies and it can be easy to tell which of them has rabies just by looking at it.

Bats that are active during the day or found in areas where they are not usually seen, such as anyone's home or on the lawn might be rabid. Also, they are usually unable to fly and can be easily approached and captured. A laboratory test will confirm if the bat is indeed infected or not.

Public Health Tips to Reduce Exposure to Rabid Animals

People and pets could get infected with rabies from bats even with a minor or seemingly unimportant scratch. The CDC recommends rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes vaccination, for anyone who was bitten or scratched by a rabid bat.

But like many diseases, prevention is always better than cure. Below are the tips from BCPH as cited by the local news outlet 9News:

• Avoid unfamiliar wild and domestic animals even if they appear friendly.
• Never feed a wild animal.
• Only observe wildlife from a distance and immediately notify authorities if there is a wild animal nearby or if they are bitten or scratched.
• Do not feed pets outdoors, close pet doors, and tightly close garbage cans and feed bins to eliminate food sources for wild animals.
• Make sure that vaccinations of pets and livestock are up to date.
• Keep pets indoors or under direct supervision.

Check out more news and information on Rabies in Science Times.