BATS AND RABIES
Animals that DO NOT Carry Rabies Chipmunk Gerbil Gopher Guinea pig Hamster Mole Mouse Muskrat Prairie dog Rabbit Rat Shrew Squirrel Vole
Bats of Michigan Little Brown Bat (common, colonies, hibernates) Big Brown Bat (common, colonies, hibernates) Hoary Bat (state-wide, solitary, migrates) Red Bat (state-wide, solitary, migrates) Silver-Haired Bat (statewide, solitary, migrates) Eastern Pipistrelle Bat (UP only, colonies, hibernates) Northern Long-Eared Bat (UP only, colonies, hibernates) Evening Bat (southern MI, colonies, hibernates) Indiana Bat (southern MI, endangered, colonies, hibernates)
Bats and Rabies Bats are very good carriers of virus (rabies, Ebola, Hendra, etc.) Large range and migration Colonies Vertical range (exposure to many species) Habitat destruction (more contact with human environment)
Rabid Bats Active by day Found in a place where bats are not usually seen Unable to fly Salivation is profuse Aggressiveness Notably biting of objects Startled response to sudden noise or light
Rabies Exposure to Bats Rabies are passed to humans by bat through a bite or through saliva Rabies cannot be passed via bat feces, blood, urine or by touching the bat
Potential Exposure to Rabies Bite Saliva of animal into open wound, eyes, nose or mouth Sleeping individual wakes to find a bat in the room Unattended child with a bat in the room Mentally or physically challenged person Intoxicated individual
Once an Animal Bite Occurs All bite wounds should be thoroughly washed with soap and water Seek medical treatment with your physician Tetanus should be current PEP may be recommended Report the bite to the health department
If Exposure to a Potentially Rabid Bat DID Occur Send bat (dead) to the state laboratory for testing If the bat was not collected, it is recommended that the individual go through the PEP process
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) is given immediately after the bite, into the site, as well as at a distant site from the bite. Rabies vaccine is given in 5 doses over 28 days (day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28). The health department can only make recommendations for PEP. Ultimately, patients and their physicians make the decision. Rabies vaccine is available at hospitals (not health departments)
If the Dog/Cat has been Exposed to a Bat and has been Vaccinated for Rabies Test the bat for rabies Revaccinate the dog/cat immediately and have the owner observe the pet for 45 days
If the Dog/Cat has been Exposed to a Bat and is NOT Vaccinated for Rabies Test bat for rabies If positive, the exposed pet must be euthanized If negative, vaccinate the exposed pet If the bat is NOT available, it must be assumed that it is positive
If the Owner Refuses to Euthanize an Animal Exposed to a Positive Rabies Case (and not immunized) Strict confinement for six months Vaccinate the animal at the beginning of confinement or at month 5 of confinement Euthanize the animal if it becomes ill with signs of rabies
Bat Control Bat-proof houses and out buildings Bat houses should be located far away from human habitations Obtain professional help to remove bats Again, avoid human and animal exposure
Removal of a Bat IF Exposure has not Occurred When the bat lands, approach it slowly, while wearing leather gloves and place a box or coffee can over it. Slide cardboard under the container. Tape the cardboard to the container securely. Release the bat outdoors away from people and pets. A more passive way is to confine the bat by closing all doors and windows leading out of the room except for those to the outside. The bat will likely leave by itself.
Bat Proofing Homes Any openings larger than a quarter-inch by a halfinch should be chalked Window screens Chimney caps Draft-guards beneath doors to attics Bats leave in the Fall or hibernate in the Winter so these are the best times to bat-proof a house Fill electrical and plumbing holes with stainless steel wool or chalking Ensure that all doors to the outside close tightly During summer, many young bats are unable to fly. Avoid exclusion from May to August to avoid trapping them inside the house