Rabid bat found in Lemhi County; Rabies is fatal if treatment is not administered after exposure

The pursuing is simply a news merchandise from Eastern Idaho Public Health.

SALMON — A bat recovered successful nan gait of a residence successful Lemhi County has been identified arsenic having rabies.

While astir bats are harmless and do not transportation rabies, they are nan only animal successful Idaho that is simply a earthy reservoir for nan virus. Rabies is simply a fatal viral unwellness successful humans and different animals. Household pets and different animals tin beryllium exposed to nan microorganism by playing pinch sick bats that tin nary longer alert normally. This is why it is important for group to make judge that their animals are vaccinated against rabies.

Ken Anderson, epidemiologist astatine Eastern Idaho Public Health (EIPH) says, “It is important if you person been bitten, scratched, aliases person travel successful adjacent interaction pinch a bat to interaction your wellness attraction supplier immediately.”

Rabies is fatal erstwhile symptoms appear, but it tin beryllium prevented almost 100% of nan clip erstwhile nan rabies vaccine and different aesculapian therapies are administered soon aft nan vulnerability occurs.”

For each Eastern Idaho Community members, to protect yourself and your pets, EIPH offers nan pursuing tips:

• Do not touch a bat pinch your bare hands. If you person had interaction pinch a bat aliases aftermath up to find a bat successful your room, activity aesculapian proposal immediately. The teeth of a bat are very mini and group are sometimes bitten successful their slumber without emotion it. Any bat recovered successful a location should beryllium tested for rabies if location is immoderate suspicion that an vulnerability to a personification aliases pet mightiness person occurred.
• Parents should thatch their children to debar bats, ne'er bring them to schoolhouse for show-and-tell, and to fto an big cognize if they find one.
• Only if you aliases your pet has had interaction aliases whitethorn person had interaction pinch a bat, prevention it successful a non-breakable instrumentality if it is alive, aliases sealed and double-bagged successful clear integrative bags. Only do this while wearing heavy gloves. Call EIPH astatine (208) 533-3152 to find whether testing nan bat for rabies is indicated. If it is wished that you aliases your pet whitethorn beryllium astatine consequence of vulnerability to rabies, testing of nan bat is simply a free service.
• Rabies is deadly for pets, too. Always vaccinate your dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses — moreover indoor pets could beryllium exposed to rabies if a bat gets into a home.
• Bat-proof your location aliases compartment by plugging each holes successful nan siding and maintaining tight-fitting screens connected windows. For accusation astir bat proofing your home, go to nan CDC’s page connected rabies prevention.