ST. GEORGE — Utah public health officials are working to keep Utahns safe from rabies. Recent outings where multiple Utahns were exposed to bats, serve as a reminder for all Utahns that bats can spread rabies and should be avoided.
In late June and early July, dozens of Utah residents from various counties traveled to Idaho for group gatherings, where they either slept in a cabin where bats were present or had direct contact with a bat. They are currently being evaluated and some are getting preventive treatment, according to a news release issued by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, so all potential exposures must be taken seriously, the department states. Rabies affects the nervous system of humans and animals.
A person may get rabies through a bite, scratch or saliva from an infected animal. Bats are the most common carrier of rabies in Utah. Keep in mind that a bat’s teeth and claws are very small, so a bat bite or scratch may not leave a mark or even be felt by the injured person. Because of this, a person who has been around bats, including sleeping in a room with bats, may not always be aware of an exposure and may be at risk.
Even though only a small percentage of bats actually carry rabies, it is important to take the proper steps to avoid contact with a bat. If you find yourself near a bat, dead or alive, do not touch, hit or destroy it, and do not try to remove it yourself. Call your local animal control office to collect the bat and call your local public health department immediately to determine if testing the bat for rabies is recommended.
Rabies preventive treatment, known as post-exposure prophylaxis, is potentially lifesaving and may be necessary. Your local public health department or health care provider can help determine if this treatment is needed after a potential exposure. Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is very safe and, when given appropriately after an exposure, is virtually 100% effective in preventing the disease.
You cannot tell if an animal is rabid just by looking at it, so be sure to report if a human or pet is bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal. Only a laboratory test (after an animal’s death) can determine if an animal has rabies.
Never handle a wild animal with bare hands. And health officials recommend Utahns follow these steps to help reduce your risk of contracting rabies.
- Keep bats out of your home and any location where you sleep.
- If you know you have bats in your home, work with a local expert to find ways to keep bats out or contact the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Never sleep in a room where bats are present.
- Make sure your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
- Keep your pets inside and supervise them when outside. This will help keep your pets from coming in contact with wild animals.
- Call your local animal control officials to report stray dogs and cats.
- Stay away from wild animals. If you have children, make sure they understand not to approach or pick up wildlife. If you see a wild animal acting strangely, report it to animal control.
- Take action if you are bitten or scratched. If you are bitten or scratched by any animal (domestic or wild), immediately wash the wound with soap and water and see a health care provider. Contact animal control to help capture the animal for observation or rabies testing.
- You can also use this online tool to determine what you should do after a potential exposure.
- Consider the rabies pre-exposure vaccine if you’re traveling to a country where rabies is common. Ask your health care provider or a travel clinic whether you should receive the rabies vaccine.
For more information on rabies, visit the health department’s website.
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