Myth vs Fact: Bats and Rabies
Rabies is an extremely dangerous virus that is always fatal once symptoms start, but thankfully it is an extremely preventable and treatable disease, with less than 10 people dying per year in the United States. Bats are one of the most common carriers of the rabies virus, but not ALL bats carry the virus. Rabid bats are back in the news due to a rabies death caused by a bat bite in California, but it’s important to be well informed on the connection between bats and rabies, so you can handle any bat conflict safely and humanely.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a fatal virus that kills people if medical care is not received before symptoms start. Rabies is spread by the bites and scratches of infected animals, like bats, raccoons, dogs, cats, and skunks. Rabies affects the central nervous system and can cause symptoms in infected animals like lethargy, stumbling, and aggression. It’s extremely important to have rabies treatment administered immediately, because rabies is fatal once the disease reaches the brain and symptoms start. Symptoms take a while to start, often taking weeks or even months. While this allows for treatment, this can also lead to people taking the disease less seriously.
How Does Rabies Spread?
Rabies is spread through bites or scratches from an infected animal. People are typically exposed to rabies when coming into contact with wild animals carrying the disease, or through their pet that has recently come into contact with a rabid animal. While rabies was extremely common in dogs in the early 20th century, widespread vaccination of pets has severely lowered the amount of rabies cases and transmission in both dogs and humans. Now, rabies is mostly spread by wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. While all mammals can potentially spread rabies, smaller animals like squirrels, rats, mice, moles, and voles are much less likely to spread rabies. Additionally, opossums don’t often carry rabies, as their body temperature is too low for the virus to survive.
Do All Bats Have Rabies?
Not all bats have rabies, and bats actually play vital roles in our ecosystems. However, bats are nocturnal and like to spend their time in caves, far away from humans. If you are seeing a bat, there’s a higher chance that it’s because the bat is displaying behaviors consistent with rabies, like being active during the day, being found inside the home or on the ground, or being unable to fly. If a bat is easily approached and doesn’t fly away immediately, this is also a sign that the bat might be sick. Bats are particularly dangerous because of their tiny claws and teeth, which can inflict bites and scratches so small that you might not even notice them. If a bat is found inside a room with a child or a sleeping person, it’s recommended that they go to the doctor immediately to find out if they need rabies treatment. While not ALL bats have rabies, bats are such common carriers that you should never approach or handle one. Bats are actually federally protected, due to their ecological importance and declining populations. It’s illegal to kill or improperly remove a bat, so always leave bat removal to professionals.
Recent Cases and Deaths From Rabies
Bats and rabies are in the news again, after a teacher in California died from rabies after removing a bat from her classroom a month previously. The victim reported feeling a small prick from the animal as she released it, but wasn’t aware that she was bitten. She was the first person to die of rabies in Merced County in over 30 years, which instantly made it national news. Thankfully, due to widespread vaccinations and post-rabies exposure prophylaxis, less than ten people die of rabies each year. The most notable recent year for rabies deaths was 2021, with 5 deaths, which was the highest rate in a decade.
How To Prevent Rabies
Rabies is higher for people with certain hobbies or professions. If you spend lots of time hiking outdoors, around wild animals, then your likelihood of encountering a rabid animal is higher. If you work in a veterinary clinic or hospital, then you are more likely than the average person to encounter rabies. Many people with professions or hobbies that require them to deal with wild animals get a pre-exposure rabies vaccine. Rabies can be avoided by avoiding contact with wild animals or animals that you don’t know. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal you don’t know, then seek medical attention immediately. Post-exposure rabies prophylaxis is effective almost 100% of the time if administered before symptoms start.
Safe, Humane Bat Removal in Richmond
Bats are very dangerous, as they are common carriers of the rabies virus, and their droppings spread the fungal lung infection histoplasmosis. However, not ALL bats have rabies, and they must be handled with care because they are federally protected animals, due to their ecological importance and declining populations. If you have bats inside your attic or your home, the best way to deal with them is to contact a licensed wildlife removal company like Critter Authority. Our team is highly trained with years of experience dealing with bat removal, so you can rest assured that we will take care of any bat issues safely and humanely, ensuring a safe environment for you while also complying with local and federal laws and guidelines. Contact our team of bat removal experts to get started today at (804) 492-2804!