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August 17, 2004

JACOHD CONFIRMS RABID BAT IDENTIFIED IN BLUE SPRINGS

INDEPENDENCE, MO – The Jackson County Health Department (JACOHD) received laboratory confirmation that a rabid bat was identified in Blue Springs, MO. JACOHD has investigated and determined that no possible human and animal exposures to the rabid bat has occurred.

Rabies is a disease that infects the brain of humans and domestic and wild animals. It is more common in wild animals such as bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes. The virus is found in the brain, spinal fluid and saliva of a rabid animal and the disease is most commonly spread through the bite or scratch of an animal infected with rabies virus. It is not transmitted through contact with blood, urine or feces.
“While there is no immediate risk to the community, the following precautions are considered prudent,” said Dr. Paula Livingston, Director, JACOHD. “Bats are important to our environment because they eat insects. However, we should treat them with respect and keep our distance.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bats teeth are very small and might leave a pinprick mark if you are bitten. If you see a bat in your house or suspect that you or a family member has been bitten, report the incident to your local health department and animal control shelter and seek medical evaluation.

If you cannot reach animal control to trap the bat, do the following:
• Wear leather work gloves and place a coffee can over the bat and carefully slide cardboard under the can
• Tape the cardboard to the can so it is secure and punch small holes into the cardboard
• Call animal control

Symptoms of rabies include fever, headache, tiredness, general anxiety, pain, tingling or numbness around the bite, and paralysis. Vaccines are given to at risk individuals to prevent the disease. Side effects are comparable to childhood vaccinations.

For more information or to report an animal bite in eastern Jackson County, contact the JACOHD at 816-404-6415. Also contact your local animal control shelter. For media information, contact Jennifer Sykes, JACOHD Manager of Media Relations,
at 816-404-3786 or Betty Blackmore, City of Blue Springs, at 816-228-0110.

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