For Immediate Release

August 31, 2007

Contact:             Vicki L. Duey, Four Corners Health Department

                            402-362-2621, toll free 877-337-3573

It’s Bat Time Of the Year!

Late summer and fall is the time of year that various species of bats are found in houses and apartments in increasing numbers. This may be due to approaching cooler weather reminding them that migration or hibernation is coming, or young bats becoming disoriented.  While the bat is as unhappy to be in the house as the person is who finds it, the potential for rabies exposure should be the most important consideration.  Human rabies, which is almost always fatal, is rare in the United States. The majority of human rabies cases, are from bat bites. 

Bat bites are very superficial and easily overlooked.  Persons can be bitten while they are asleep and not even be aware it has happened.  A bat in the room with a sleeping person or someone waking to find a bat in the room could indicate possible exposure.  A bat may be found in the room with persons who cannot communicate bat contact clearly such as small children, intoxicated or drug impaired persons, or mentally impaired individuals.   In these cases, a bat bite may have occurred.  A physical collision with a bat or stepping on a bat with bare feet can also cause the bat’s teeth to penetrate human skin.

Bats found in the house with potential human contact should not be released outdoors.  They should be captured and submitted to the laboratory for rabies testing.  It is important not to damage the bat or testing will not be possible.  Safe methods of capturing a bat may be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/bats_&_rabies/bats&.htm

or call the Four Corners Health Department at (402) 362-2621 or toll free (877) 337-3573.

Persons exposed to rabies positive bats need to receive a series of injections over a one month period.  In some cases, if the bat is released or is too damaged for testing, treatment will also be recommended.   Persons experiencing bat bites are advised to contact their physician and the Four Corners Health Department.   “There have been five bats in Nebraska that tested positive for rabies since last August.  We have been involved in other local cases where bats could not be tested but had human contact, resulting in medical treatment for a number of persons.” according to Vicki L. Duey, Executive Director of the Four Corners Health Department.  “We want people to be aware of what they should do if they find a bat in their home.”