A bat found in Shawano County, Wisconsin, has been confirmed to have rabies, according to local health officials. This discovery serves as a reminder for residents to protect themselves and their pets from the disease.
Rabies Prevention
Rabies is transmitted through exposure to an infected animal, typically through a bite, but it can also be spread through a scratch or if the animal’s saliva comes into contact with broken skin. Since rabies is nearly always fatal and cannot be successfully treated after symptoms appear, those who have had physical contact with a bat and cannot rule out the possibility of a bite or scratch may need preventative treatment.
The Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department recommends that individuals who are bitten or scratched by an animal should seek medical attention immediately. This is the first confirmed case of rabies in a bat in Shawano County this year, but health officials note that it is not unusual for the county to have at least one wild bat test positive for rabies each year.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
