Do All Bats Carry Rabies?



Throughout the last twenty years, the habits of bats have drastically changed. It’s not an uncommon event to find a small colony of bats living in your attic or in a commercial building. As there are quite a few opening and vents, the bats have an easy access to the premises. The general projection revolving around bats is that they are vicious little creatures, when in fact they are quite harmless even in large quantities. There have been no reported cases of bats attacking neither humans nor animals when left untouched. Naturally, any animal would defend itself when it finds itself in a threatening situation. Bats, however, do pose certain types of danger and nuisance as they could make annoying noises, pollute your property and possibly spread diseases, in case that they are infected.

Bats and Rabies

The most common risk that people think come with bats is the risk of transmitting rabies. In reality, though, less than one percent of the bat population is infected by the virus and transmits it. Naturally, it’s quite difficult to pinpoint whether or not a specific colony of bats has rabies infected bat within it. The most obvious symptoms would be a bat, which looks weak and does not go out even during the night.

Rabies Explained

To shed further light on the situation, it’s important to understand the rabies virus. It targets the immune system of the living being and has a great impact on the nervous system. A treatment course should immediately be conducted upon the affected creature, or fatal consequences could occur.

The virus resides in the saliva of the animal, meaning that anyone bitten by an infected animal would be instantly infected. Depending on the type of person or creature, the incubation period could greatly vary, however medical experts recommend that any person bit by an animal should visit a hospital within the first twelve hours after the bite.

The virus “connects” to the nervous system and slowly makes its way to the brain. Many of its symptoms are unnoticeable until it is too late. The virus basically replicates the tissue of the nervous system, affecting anything it goes through until reaching the brain.

The bite of a bat is quite small and is quite similar to that of an insect; however, it should not be ignored. Among the symptoms an infected person would exhibit are:

• Pain in the tendons and muscles

• Hallucinations (Extremely Rarely)

• Spasms in the muscles

• Drooling

• Unusual behavior

Don’t wait for the symptoms to show up, before going to a hospital. As previously mentioned the incubation period differs, and some individuals take months to show any symptoms, at which point it is already too late for a treatment. Make sure to wash the bitten spot before showing it to a doctor that will remove the virus and the saliva at the borders of the wound making the examination safe for the doctor.

Read the How to get rid of bats page for helpful information and to learn more about Do All Bats Carry Rabies?

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