Rabies detected in bat triggers Public Well being Advisory in Racine County

STURTEVANT – Racine County Public Well being Division has issued a public advisory following the confirmation of a rabies-constructive bat.

The bat was found in a rural region of the county, captured, and sent for laboratory testing. Racine County Public Well being (RCPH) investigated and implemented vital measures, like quarantining and vaccinating animals that may well have had speak to with the infected bat.

The detection of rabies in the bat serves as a reminder of the ongoing concern amongst public overall health officials. Even though rabies is uncommon in the United States, it remains a critical threat due to the considerable quantity of animal bites skilled by quite a few million Americans annually.

Wildlife and rabies

Bats and other wild animals, such as raccoons, foxes, coyotes and skunks, are typical carriers of the rabies virus, normally transmitted by way of saliva or brain/nervous method tissue. Direct speak to with these bodily fluids and tissues is expected for transmission. Although rabies is fatal, it can be prevented with suitable therapy.

Racine County Public Well being Division advises the public to:

• Make certain pets are up to date on vaccinations and retain precise vaccination records.
• Steer clear of maintaining wild or exotic animals as pets.
• Refrain from handling wild animals.
• Educate kids about the significance of not approaching unfamiliar animals, like others’ pets.
• Report any bat exposure, whether or not by way of bites or non-bite incidents, to a doctor promptly and notify the nearby overall health division.
• Make contact with a veterinarian and the nearby overall health division if a pet has been involved in an altercation with a wild animal.

Sources

In case of a bite or scratch, folks really should right away wash the wound with soap and water and seek healthcare focus from a nearby doctor in the course of enterprise hours or speak to nearby law enforcement soon after hours.

The following downloadable files are supplied by the Wisconsin Division of Agriculture, Trade and Customer Protection.

The initially is a brochure with useful data for absolutely everyone. The second file is a coloring book that can be employed to assist teach kids about security when dealing with wildlife, especially with this illness in thoughts.

For additional data about animal rabies, please speak to your nearby overall health division.

The rabies virus

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Denise Lockwood has an comprehensive background in standard and non-standard media. She has written for Patch.com, the Milwaukee Company Journal, Milwaukee Magazine and the Kenosha News.
Additional by Denise Lockwood