LAKE COUNTY CONFIRMS SECOND RABID BAT FOR 2011

The Lake County General Health District (LCGHD) has received information that a bat from northwestern Mentor was recently confirmed to be rabid by the Ohio Department of Health.  No known bite occurred from the incident; however, it is still under investigation. This is the second rabid bat found in Lake County in 2011 and the 28^th rabid bat found in Lake County since 1971 (see attached).  The first rabid bat incident in Lake County this year occurred in Mentor-on-the–Lake in June.  There have been 25 rabid bats found in Ohio this year.  Due to this incident, the LCGHD thought it would be helpful to remind residents of the following:

1)      Any pet or human encounter with bats should be reported to the LCGHD for evaluation of the circumstances to determine if a possible rabies exposure has occurred.  An exposure is considered to be any bite, scratch or bat saliva in contact with human or pet mucous membranes or an open break in the skin.

2)      Because a bat bite may be so small that it may go undetected, an exposure may also have occurred when a bat is found: a) in a room with a sleeping person, b) in proximity to an unattended child who is not able to describe what happened, and c) in a room with an individual under the influence of alcohol or drugs or with other sensory or mental impairment.

3)      In circumstances where there is any reasonable probability of exposure, if possible, the bat should be safely captured so that it can be tested for rabies.  Approximately 1% of all bats in the wild and 4% of all tested bats are rabid.

4)      Rabies vaccination of all pet cats, dogs and ferrets is mandatory in Lake County.  This requirement also applies to indoor pets because, in some instances, a potentially rabid animal (especially bats) may get into the house.  As a result, it is important for pet owners to have their pets regularly vaccinated against rabies and always keep the shots up-to-date.  Vaccinating pets against rabies protects the pet, as well as family members, against the threat of this fatal disease.

5)      Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. "Love your own, leave other animals alone" is a good principle for children to learn.

For additional information on bat rabies visit: http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/dis/zoonoses/rabies/bats/bats1.aspx

http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats/

http://www.batcon.org/

http://www.lcghd.org/bats.aspx