DHHS veterinarian: Watch out for bats

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

A limited supply of rabies vaccine has made it especially important that people not come into contact with bats that might carry rabies.

The nationwide shortage makes it especially important that people reduce their risk by not handling bats, according to Dr. Annette Bredthauer, the state’s public health veterinarian.

“Someone with a questionable exposure might receive vaccine when there are people who have been bitten by bats that especially need it. No one has gone without yet, but the national supply of vaccine is rapidly being depleted,” she said.

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Cases of human rabies are rare in the U.S. The last human case in Nebraska was reported in 1926.

Bats carry the rabies virus in their saliva. Bat bites are very superficial and easily overlooked. People can be bitten while they are asleep and not be aware of it, Bredthauer said.

Bats should be caught for testing if:

* One is found in a room where someone is sleeping;

* A bat is found in a room with individuals who cannot communicate about any bat contact, such as small children or people with certain disabilities;

* Someone has a physical encounter with a bat, such as a collision or stepping on a bat.

Never strike a bat because it is important that the bat’s brain be intact for testing, Bredthauer said.

Submit the bat for testing through an animal control agency, a veterinarian or the local health department. A list of local health departments can be found online at: http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/puh/oph/lhd.htm.

So far this year, nine bats have been found to carry rabies in Nebraska. Last year, 14 bats were found to have rabies, compared with three in 2006 and five the year before.

While the rabies virus is most commonly found in bats and skunks, it is also found in raccoons and domestic animals like dogs, cats and horses.

The total number of animal rabies cases is 33 so far this year, compared with the total of 31 for all of last year, 35 in 2006 and 52 cases in 2005.