Bat Importance and Conservation
Bats and Rabies
Like all mammals, Michigan bats can contract rabies. Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the central nervous system. The virus typically is passed on through the bite of an infected animal. It can also be transmitted if a rabid mammal’s saliva enters an open wound or comes in contact with mucous membrane. Rabies is a potentially fatal disease unless treated quickly. There are many rumors about bats and rabies, one of these rumors is that all bats carry rabies. Bats are NOT carriers of rabies, they can get rabies, but they die of it just like any other animal. All potential rabies exposures must be taken seriously, consult your physician for medical advice. Source: Organization for Bat Conservation.
Bat's and Rabies - Scientific Studies.
Researchers at Indiana State University conducted one of the longest studies on the incidence of rabies in mid-western bats. The study was concluded in 2003, and covered a span of 38 years. During that time 5,584 big brown bats were evaluated for rabies with 3.1% testing positive. Peak months for rabies in this species was October. It is important to note that the sampled population was biased in that many of the bats were impaired and easier to locate (sick, dying or were found on the ground). In other words, many bats that were suspected to be infected with rabies were not infected. The study acknowledges that a better estimate of the actual incidence of rabies in a nature is likely to be less than 1%. That said, take all suspected bat bits seriously, and contact your physician for medical advice.
Source: Whitaker and Douglas. Bat Rabies in Indiana.
Bat Rabies - Links
Center for Disease Control - Rabies Information & Bat Information.
Oakland County Health Department - If you were bitten by a bat.
Oakland County Animal Control - Contact for Animal Laboratory Testing in Oakland County.
