STURTEVANT – Racine County Public Overall health Division has issued a public advisory following the confirmation of a rabies-good bat.

The bat was found in a rural region of the county, captured, and sent for laboratory testing. Racine County Public Overall health (RCPH) investigated and implemented important measures, like quarantining and vaccinating animals that may well have had make contact with with the infected bat.

The detection of rabies in the bat serves as a reminder of the ongoing concern amongst public overall health officials. Even though rabies is uncommon in the United States, it remains a critical threat due to the important quantity of animal bites skilled by quite a few million Americans annually.

Wildlife and rabies

Bats and other wild animals, such as raccoons, foxes, coyotes and skunks, are widespread carriers of the rabies virus, normally transmitted via saliva or brain/nervous program tissue. Direct make contact with with these bodily fluids and tissues is necessary for transmission. When rabies is fatal, it can be prevented with acceptable therapy.

Racine County Public Overall health Division advises the public to:

• Make sure pets are up to date on vaccinations and keep correct vaccination records.
• Stay clear of maintaining wild or exotic animals as pets.
• Refrain from handling wild animals.
• Educate young children about the significance of not approaching unfamiliar animals, like others’ pets.
• Report any bat exposure, irrespective of whether via bites or non-bite incidents, to a doctor promptly and notify the nearby overall health division.
• Speak to a veterinarian and the nearby overall health division if a pet has been involved in an altercation with a wild animal.

Sources

In case of a bite or scratch, people ought to instantly wash the wound with soap and water and seek healthcare focus from a nearby doctor for the duration of organization hours or make contact with nearby law enforcement right after hours.

The following downloadable files are supplied by the Wisconsin Division of Agriculture, Trade and Customer Protection.

The 1st is a brochure with useful info for every person. The second file is a coloring book that can be utilised to assist teach young children about security when dealing with wildlife, especially with this illness in thoughts.

For additional info about animal rabies, please make contact with your nearby overall health division.

The rabies virus

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Denise Lockwood has an in depth background in standard and non-standard media. She has written for Patch.com, the Milwaukee Company Journal, Milwaukee Magazine and the Kenosha News.
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