The Randolph County Health Department announces that a bat, found in the south central part of the county, has tested positive for rabies.   “The bat was found in the courtyard of a county school, but fortunately was picked up by maintenance before any of the children happened upon it,” stated Janet Murray, Environmental Health Supervisor.  “Since it was acting strangely, we decided it would be best to submit to the State Lab for testing, and sure enough, it was positive.”

According to Janet Murray, Environmental Health Supervisor, Randolph County Health Department, anyone who has been bitten by an animal, particularly a stray dog or cat or a wild animal, should wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes.  If possible, and without further injury, try to capture or confine the biting animal so that it can be quarantined or tested for rabies (depending upon the species of biting animal).  If the animal is destroyed, avoid damaging the head since the brain is the only specimen that can be tested for the presence of the rabies virus.  Persons should contact their physician to see if medical care (antibiotics, tetanus booster, etc.) is needed, and to have a rabies risk assessment made.  They should also contact their local health department to seek assistance in obtaining proper disposition of the biting animal.

Rabies is a disease of mammals and is transmitted primarily through bites.  Over 90 percent of reported rabies cases are wild animals commonly seen in neighborhoods and backyards, such as bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes.  Vaccinated pets are the barrier between those animals and loved ones and public health experts want pet owners to know that by protecting their pets they also are protecting their loved ones.

Missouri health officials urge pet owners to visit their veterinarians and update their pets’ rabies vaccinations.  “Pet owners need to understand how close the threat of rabies is to their families,” said Janet “It’s often as close as the raccoon that walked through the back yard.”

Special attention should be paid to bites from bats since their small, needle-like teeth could result in a wound that goes unnoticed or is ignored.  Although less than one percent of wild bats have rabies, almost all human rabies deaths in the United States occur from exposure to rabid bats.  A Missouri man died from rabies in November 2008 due to a bite from an infected bat.  The man did not seek medical treatment following the bite, underscoring the necessity of consulting with medical professionals following such exposures.  Persons who might have been bitten by a bat found in their home should consult with their local public health agency or animal control office to determine if testing of the bat is necessary.  This could keep these persons from having to undergo the anti-rabies series of shots, which might be the recommendation if the bat is simply caught and released without testing.

“Rabies is not just a problem in Randolph County,” according to Ms. Murray.  “It can be found in any county in Missouri.  Over the past 10 years, Missouri has seen almost 50 rabid animals each year, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  This number includes only those animals tested because they bit either a person or someone’s pet – there were undoubtedly many more rabid animals that went undetected.  Most of the animals found to be rabid during this time period were bats and skunks, but the total also included foxes, cats, dogs, cattle, horses, and one goat.”     

Anti-Rabies Regimen
Following a potential exposure to rabies, there is normally a window of opportunity (usually measured in days) in which the patient can receive a series of shots to keep him/her from developing rabies.  The current series of shots is very effective if given soon after the exposure, and is fewer in number with far less side effects than the previous anti-rabies regimen.  However, the current series is not without some discomfort and risk, and averages about $3500 per series per patient.  The shots are not effective once symptoms develop.

Community Prevention

• Ensure dogs, cats, and ferrets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations.   Vaccinations are also available for horses, cattle, and sheep.  The effectiveness of animal vaccines is the main reason for the nationwide decline in rabies cases among people and domestic animals.
• Keep pets under control; do not allow them to run loose.
• Avoid contact with stray pets and wild animals; do not keep wild animals or wild animal crosses as pets.
• Report wild animals exhibiting unusual behavior or stray pets to animal control officials.
• Personal pets should not be handled without protection directly after being exposed to wildlife due to the potential for carrying residual saliva from the infected animal.

Information pertaining to rabies can be found on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Rabies.  For more information on rabies in Randolph County, contact Janet Murray, R.E.H.S.  Environmental Health Supervisor 660-263-6643 Ext. 3043