Rabies found in Douglas County bat

(WEAU)
Published: Aug. 10, 2018 at 2:31 PM CDT
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A bat found in the Dundee area of Omaha tested positive for rabies.

Rabies can be fatal, and anyone who is exposed to a rabid bat should receive emergency medical treatment.

The Douglas County Health Department and the Nebraska Humane Society are reminding residents to protect themselves and be careful, as bats like to seek shelter in homes to keep warm at night.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is reminding Nebraskans that bats are very active this time of year, which means the possibility of exposure to rabies increases.

“Bats are a common carrier of rabies in Nebraska,” said Dr. Bryan Buss, State Public Health Veterinarian for DHHS. “Several bats have tested positive for rabies over the last three months, particularly in Lincoln where seven have tested positive year-to-date. Historically, late summer is our peak time for testing bats because of higher levels of bat activity. During these months the possibility of exposure to rabies increases so people should be cautious around bats and other wild animals.”

In addition to bats, other wildlife such as skunks, foxes, coyotes and raccoons can have rabies and transmit it to people. Rabies is caused by a virus that affects the nervous system and is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal or if saliva from a rabid animal gets directly into an open wound or a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth. Rabies is generally fatal without preventive treatment.

Help prevent the spread of rabies by following these tips:

•Be a responsible animal owner. Keep vaccinations up-to-date for all dogs, cats, ferrets, and other animals you own.

•Seek immediate veterinary assistance for your pet if it’s bitten by a wild animal or exposed to a bat.

•Call your local animal control agency about removing stray animals in your neighborhood.

•Do not touch, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.

•Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick, wild animals to health. Call animal control or an animal rescue agency for assistance.

•Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to reduce the risk of contact with rabid animals.

•Maintain homes and other buildings so bats can’t get inside.

•If a bat is in your house, don’t let it outside until you talk to animal control or public health officials. If you can do it without putting yourself at risk for physical contact or being bitten, try to cover the bat with a large can or bucket, and close the door to the room.

If you think you’ve been bitten by a bat:

•Seek immediate medical attention if you’ve been in direct contact with or bitten by a bat.

•If you wake up and find a bat in your room, you should try to safely capture the bat and have it tested. The same precautions should be used if you see a bat in a room with an unattended child.

•If you or a family member has been in close proximity to a bat, consult your doctor or local health department for assistance to determine if you might have been exposed to rabies and need preventive treatment.

•People often know when they’ve been bitten by a bat but its small teeth can make a bite mark difficult to find. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Try to safely capture the bat or call animal control, have the bat tested and seek medical advice.

Rabies cases in Nebraska:

2018 – 12 animals tested positive for rabies year-to-date (8 bats, 2 skunks, 1 cat, and 1 horse)

2017 – 19 cases (10 bats, 7 skunks, and 2 cats)

2016 – 19 cases (14 bats, 4 skunks, and 1 bovine)

2015 – 28 cases (16 bats, 8 skunks, 2 cattle, 1 dog, and 1 cat)

No human cases of rabies have occurred among Nebraskans since the 1920s.