A little behind on the FML's but one thing jumped out at me with a huge red
flag-- Handling a dead bat!!!!
 
The Centers for Disease Control reported 4 human deaths due to rabies in
1997.  All four cases involved bat variant strains!(1 in Texas, 1 in NJ, 1
in Washington State, 1 in Oregon, 3 were the silver bat, 1 was the Big
Brown) In 3 of the 4 cases, no obvious bite or scratch wounds were found.
In 1997, there were also more than 7,800 reported cases of rabies in
animals.  These cases are spelled out in detail in the weekly MMWR reports
from the CDC.
 
The CDC quote is as follows:
"In all potential human exposures involving bats, the bat in question should
be safely collected, if possible, and submittedthrough local or state health
departments for rabies diagnosis.  PEP (Post exposure prophylaxis, or after-
rabies exposure vaccinations) is recommended for all persons who have
sustained bite, scratch, or mucous membrane exposures to a bat unless the
bat is available for testing and is negative for evidence of rabies.  Of the
21 cases of human rabies reported since 1980 that were caused by
bat-associated rabies virus variants, only one had a definite history of a
bat bite.  Therefore, PEP also is appropriate even in the absence of a
demonstrable bite, scratch, or mucous membrane exposure in situations in
which there is reasonable probability that such contact occurred (e.g., a
sleeping person awakens to find a bat in the room or an adult witnesses a
bat in the room with a previously unattended child or mentally disabled or
intoxicated person).  This recommendation used in conjunction with current
Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines."
 
Please remember: if you find the corpse of a wild animal, report it to the
local health department or Animal Control department, for rabies testing.
Especially if the animal found is very susceptible to rabies like the bat,
raccoon, fox, etc.  The rabies rule is: if it has hair, it can contract
rabies.  Just something to think about, now that Rabies Awareness week is
almost over (Jan 19-25).
 
Happy Ferreting!
 
Lisa, Head Ferret
The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea"
[Posted in FML issue 2194]