As spring brings warmer weather, many animals emerge from winter hibernation and are visible in our communities. Some wild mammals can carry rabies, including skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes, but when rabies is detected in wildlife, it is most commonly found in bats.
Human rabies in Colorado is rare: The last known human rabies case in Colorado was reported in 1931. Rabies virus is transmitted via the saliva of an infected animal and frequently spread through animal bites. It is vaccine-preventable, and animal control and vaccination efforts since the 1970s have been effective in limiting cases of this serious disease. Despite the low risk for humans contracting rabies, it is fatal in virtually 100% of cases if vaccine is not administered before symptoms appear.
Bats are an important part of our ecosystem, but they are the leading carriers, or vector species, of rabies in the United States and have been responsible for most of the rabies deaths in humans. For this reason, human interaction with bats should be avoided.
Bats typically avoid humans and are content to feed on insects at night. A bat, however, should never be in your home and it is difficult to know if you have had direct contact with these flying mammals because bat bites are very small and difficult to notice. If you do find a bat in your home, or if you have contact with a bat, call public health to see if the bat should be tested for rabies.
Take these steps to capture the bat:
- Find a container such as a Tupperware or box large enough for the bat and a piece of cardboard with holes punched in it to cover the opening.
- Using leather work gloves, place the container over the bat and slide the cardboard under the container.
- Tape the cardboard to the container to secure it and place it the refrigerator. This will put the bat into a torpor and make it inactive.
- Call La Plata County Public Health Department to arrange a delivery of the bat to our Communicable Disease team or partnering veterinarian.
- The bat will be euthanized and sent to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s lab for rabies testing. If the bat is negative, rabies post-exposure prophylaxis will not be recommended. If the bat is positive for rabies, a post-exposure rabies vaccination is highly recommended.
Bats and other wild mammals share a home with us in La Plata County and should be valued as integral parts of our environment. Nonetheless, risk of rabies to ourselves or our domestic pets can be reduced by taking these protective measures suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals, and be cautious of stray dogs and cats. Rabid animals do not always appear vicious!
- Teach children to leave wildlife alone. Be sure your child knows to tell you if an animal bites or scratches them.
- Have your veterinarian (or local animal shelter) vaccinate your pets and livestock against rabies. Keep their vaccinations up to date.
- Tightly close garbage cans and feed bins. Open trash and feed bags attract wild or stray animals to your home or yard.
- Feed your pets indoors; never leave pet food outside as this attracts wildlife.
- Keep outdoor pets in a fenced yard.
- Avoid all contact with bats, especially bats found on the ground. If you find a bat on the ground, don’t touch it. Report the bat and its location to your local animal control officer or health department.
- Call your doctor right away if an animal bites you. Contact your local health department to report the incident.
If you have any questions about rabies in wild or domestic animals, or if you have been bitten by an animal, call the La Plata County Public Health Department at 247-5702 for guidance.
Todd Macon is the Public Health Communications Supervisor at La Plata County. Reach him at tmacon@lpcgov.org.
