The California Department of Public Health is urging residents to exercise caution around wild or unfamiliar animals after a Fresno County resident and Dos Palos teacher succumbed to rabies. This unfortunate event transpired following a presumed rabid bat bite in Merced County approximately a month earlier. Despite rabies being a rarity in the United States, with less than ten cases annually, thousands undergo preventive treatment yearly due to potential rabies exposure. The collaborative efforts between the Fresno County Department of Public Health, Merced County Department of Public Health, California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed rabies as the cause of the illness. Samples were collected from the hospital where the patient received care, and the state’s Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory (VRDL) confirmed the presence of rabies. Unfortunately, the individual succumbed to the disease after experiencing symptoms and was hospitalized in a Fresno County hospital.
Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, emphasized the difficulty in detecting bat bites, underscoring the importance of seeking immediate medical care after potential exposure. He advised the public to avoid interacting with wild animals to reduce risk. This case emphasizes the critical importance of recognizing the symptoms and acting promptly to mitigate risk.
Guidance Following Contact with a Bat
Proper handling and immediate medical care are crucial upon finding a bat, either dead or alive. In this tragic incident, Dos Palos teacher Leah Seneng found a bat on the floor of her classroom in October but did not develop symptoms until a month later. Bats are commonly known carriers of rabies, and their bites are often imperceptible or minimal. CDPH recommends that residents avoid touching bats and immediately contact local animal control for removal.
Residents are urged to keep pets and family members away from areas where bats are found. If contact with a bat occurs, washing the area with soap and water is crucial. In the case of a bite, immediate consultation with healthcare providers is necessary for further guidance. Reporting the incident to the local health department is similarly essential. Medical attention should be sought even if a bite isn’t initially apparent, as seen with Seneng’s case where symptoms only manifested a month later.
In situations where people find a bat indoors, particularly in sleeping areas, rabies treatment should be discussed with a healthcare provider, regardless of visible injuries. Additionally, if bats are found near individuals unable to communicate, such as small children or people with disabilities, it is safest to assume a bite occurred and seek medical assistance. These precautions could potentially prevent further cases of rabies-related fatalities.
Understanding Rabies and Its Impact
Rabies is a deadly viral disease for people if not treated before symptom onset. Symptoms typically appear between three to eight weeks after exposure but can also emerge earlier or much later. The rabies virus primarily spreads to humans and pets via bites from infected animals. All mammals are susceptible to the rabies virus, including humans. In California, bats and skunks are commonly infected rabies carriers.
Every year, thousands of Americans receive medical attention due to potential rabies exposure. Effective rabies control measures in the U.S., including widespread vaccination of pet dogs, have greatly reduced the public health threat posed by rabies. Nonetheless, understanding the nature of the disease and recognizing potential rabies carriers is vital for ongoing public safety and disease prevention.
Rabies-infected animals often exhibit strange or abnormal behavior due to the virus attacking their brain. Some common indicators of rabies in animals include a bat that unsuccessfully flies or a wild animal unusually tame near people. Moreover, animals typically active at night seen during the day, or pets experiencing difficulty walking, eating, or drinking, and those exhibiting changed behavior warrant concern. Maintaining vigilance and avoiding wild animals help reduce the risk of potential rabies exposure and associated fatalities.
Prevention and Necessary Actions for Rabies Control
The California Department of Public Health is cautioning residents to be wary of wild or unfamiliar animals after a Fresno County resident and Dos Palos teacher died from rabies. This tragic event occurred following a suspected rabid bat bite in Merced County about a month prior. Though rabies is rare in the U.S., with fewer than ten cases annually, thousands undergo preventive treatment each year due to potential exposure.
The Fresno and Merced County Departments of Public Health, in concert with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), confirmed rabies as the cause. Samples from the hospital where the patient was treated were examined by the state’s Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory (VRDL), confirming rabies. Sadly, the individual passed away after developing symptoms and being hospitalized in Fresno County.
Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, highlighted how difficult it is to detect bat bites, stressing the need for immediate medical attention after possible exposure. He advised the public to avoid wild animals to minimize risk. This case underscores the crucial need to recognize symptoms and act swiftly to prevent severe outcomes.
