Two people and a dog are undergoing rabies treatment after a close encounter with a sick bat. Pictured is a file photo of a Colorado bat.
It happened on July 16 when the two awoke to a dead bat on their bedroom floor in Breckenridge. When the bat tested positive for rabies, they told health officials the dog might have been playing with it. All three are expected to recover.
“We’ve always known that rabies is circulating in the bat population,” Amy Wineland, director of Summit County Public Health, said in a statement. “This incident serves to remind us all to be aware of the risks associated with interacting with wildlife and respond appropriately.”
This is the first confirmed rabid bat encounter of summer in Summit. Most years at least one rabid bat is found. Rabies can be treated when caught early but is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Public health gives Krystal 93 tips and tricks to identify and avoid a close encounter:
Preventing bat encounters
Experience and studies have shown that killing bats does not eliminate the occurrence of rabies in the bat populations. Bats, in fact, are a critical component of our ecosystem. The best way to prevent being exposed to rabies is to take a few simple steps:
- Do not pick up or handle bats or any wildlife. Talk to kids about this.
- Recognize suspicious bat behavior.
- Bats are nocturnal animals. It is unusual for them to be active during full daylight hours.
- Bats prefer to fly. If a bat is unable to take flight or is very lethargic, this might mean it is sick.
- Bats want to avoid people. Be suspicious of a bat that is aggressive toward people or pets.
- Bats found in the home can generally be released by turning off the lights and opening a door. Try to find how the bat entered the home to prevent it from happening again.
- Vaccinate your pets against rabies and keep those vaccinations current.
- Eliminate points of entry at your home where bats can roost.
- If you sleep with windows open, make sure they have screens so bats cannot get into the home and have contact with you while you are unaware.
- Check for holes in screens, and keep windows closed until they are fixed.
- Look for holes in drywall, fireplace, etc.
What to do after an encounter with a bat or other wild animal:
- If the bat or other wild animal is acting normal, and there has been no suspected exposure to humans or pets, leave it be. Do not pet wild animals!
- If a human has definitively been bitten or scratched by a bat or other wild animal, thoroughly clean the wound with soap and running water for 5 minutes. Do not scrub or rub the wound. You should immediately seek medical attention for wound care and possible vaccines; contact a physician and Summit County Animal Control (970-668-8600) for assistance. If you are bitten by a dog, exchange information with the owner, including name, address and phone number.
- If there may have been a human or pet exposed to a bat or wild animal that is acting suspiciously, you should contact Summit County Animal Control via non-emergent dispatch at 970-668-8600. You should also contact Summit County Public Health at 970-668-9161, as they can help determine an appropriate response and arrange for testing and medical response if necessary.
- Bites or scratches can happen while sleeping or to unattended children or pets, and they may not leave an obvious wound. In these cases, it is recommended to err on the side of caution and contact Animal Control or Public Health for advice and possible testing. Only bats with suspected exposure to people and pets will be considered for testing.
- If the bat has been captured or killed, do not release it as it may be needed for testing. Instead, enclose it in the room where you found it or cover it so that it cannot escape and call Animal Control. Animal Control will give you further instructions. It is important to act quickly, but not to panic.