Last month in Arapahoe County, two people were exposed to a rabid bat and had to undergo preventative treatment. This is the fifth confirmed case of a bat with rabies in Colorado so far this year — other cases were confirmed in Colorado Springs, Boulder County, and Larimer County. Rabies is a fatal disease, but human infection is rare and preventable. Here’s what you should know:
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can cause brain disease and death if not treated promptly and properly.
How Does It Spread?
Most human infections come from bites or scratches from a rabid animal — typically foxes, racoons, coyotes, and skunks, but most commonly bats. (It’s important to note that even though bat bites are tiny and often painless, if you’ve made contact with a bat it’s crucial to seek medical attention.)
Best Ways to Avoid Exposure:
Don’t touch wild animals, not even baby animals. Have conversations with young children about staying away from wildlife and keep your pets’ rabies vaccinations up to date. If you encounter a wild animal where it shouldn’t be, or you see a wild animal acting strangely, keep your distance and contact your local animal control.
What to Do If You Think You Were Exposed:
Immediate treatment is the key. It’s paramount to receive medical attention before symptoms even begin. There is no cure for rabies, so you’ll need to undergo a series of shots to hopefully prevent the infection from establishing itself. In the meantime, you’ll want to thoroughly wash the wound and keep it clean.
