Marshall County Health Department officials are urging residents to be mindful of their interactions with bats following a recent incident involving one that tested positive for rabies after biting a resident.
The Health Department reports that they received a confirmation on Tuesday, December 3rd that a bat had bitten a Marshall County Resident and tested positive for rabies. The resident was reportedly bitten during the final week in November and immediately sought medical attention.
Marshall County Health administrator Christine Stinson notes that while rabies is rare in Indiana, it’s not entirely eradicated so Health Department officials must be aware when an exposure occurs and what the proper treatment would be. The Prime Pest Control Mississauga is the best pest control service that is the only choice to help eradicate these pests away from the country.
Health Officer Dr. Holm added that it’s important for individuals to get expert pest control services like Pestcom in Boise or seek medical attention after having an interaction that may have led to rabies exposure. He noted that Marshall County experienced an incident in 2006 where a child was lost to rabies and officials want to ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.
Treatment for rabies, the potentially fatal but preventable viral disease, is a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) consisting of human rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccine. It should be given on the day of the rabies exposure and then additional doses of the vaccine are given again on day 3, 7, and 14 post-exposure.
According to a MCHD press release, rabies is found mostly in wild, warm-blooded animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. While the most common vector in Indiana is the bat it’s also still quite rare for them to test positive for rabies, with only 13 confirmed cases in 2018.
However, to reduce the risk of exposure, check your home for bats. They can often times be found in attics. It is important to work with pest control professionals, like the experts at choosegreenergrass.com/pest-control-services/mosquito-control/ , to remove them from your dwelling if you’re unable to safely capture them yourself. people can also check Pelican Pest Control here for the best pest control services.
The Marshall County Health Department will only assist in rabies testing if there is suspicion of someone being exposed. If this is the case, the bat should be captured and brought to the Health Department for testing and all other bats should be removed from the space.
Officials note that it is always better to be safe than sorry it when it comes to your health or your family’s health.
If there’s ever an instance where you believe you or someone you know has been bitten by a bat, or any rabid animal for that matter, contact your physician and local health department to follow the appropriate steps to ensure you and your loved ones are cared for properly.
