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Beware of bats in Alberta...

nonothing

Well-known member
CALGARY (CBC) - An Alberta man who was bitten by a bat while sleeping has developed rabies, which rarely affects humans but is often deadly, an Alberta Health official said Friday.



The man - who lives east of Edmonton - did not get vaccinated after he was attacked in August 2006 and is now in serious condition in hospital, said Dr. Karen Grimsrud, a provincial health officer.


Rabies, which ravages the brain and spinal cord, is fatal in more than 50 per cent of human cases that are not immediately treated, according to Health Canada. The federal agency reports that 21 persons have died of rabies in Canada since 1925.


In most cases, it takes months before an infected person notices any symptoms, which can include extreme anxiety, paralysis, convulsions and difficulty swallowing.


Grimsrud said the Alberta man woke up in the middle of the night when the bat bit him, but he didn't show any symptoms until January.


"Once you develop the neurological symptoms, there's very little that can be done," Grimsrud said Friday. "All we can do is make them comfortable."


Rabies is transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal but is usually passed from animal to animal, rarely affecting humans. Animals known to transmit the disease include foxes, raccoons, skunks and bats.


Alberta hasn't had a human case since 1985, when a Calgary man developed rabies after being bitten by a bat.


People who suspect they've been exposed to the virus that causes rabies are urged to get a rabies vaccine as soon as possible.


"Any bat bite really needs a follow-up because there is always that potential that they could have rabies and, through the bite, spread the virus to the person that they bit," Grimsrud said.


Man's friends, family being checked


Since the Edmonton case was discovered, health regions in Alberta have been contacting doctors, medical staff, family members or friends who may have come in direct contact with the infected man's saliva or bodily fluids.


This is a precautionary measure, as there has never been a documented case of humans transmitting rabies to other humans.


"We're being extra cautious in this case," said Grimsrud.


Among the most recent cases, a British Columbia man succumbed to the infection after a suspected bat bite in 2003. Three years earlier, a nine-year-old Quebec boy died after he was bitten by a bat.
 

Jigger Boss

Well-known member
Nothing saying he was in bed. He could have been camping or ??
I've had a bat fly in through my open bedroom window a few years ago :shock: .
Luckily it landed in the laundry basket and not in my bed!. I was able to scoop it up and throw it back out the window.
 

Canadian_Cowgirl

Well-known member
Bats are soo cool!!! I found a bat on the tree at the church and i picked it up, it was soo tiny, but i put it back! :(

Jigger boss I supose you could be right, but yea
Katy
 

Northern Rancher

Well-known member
The last confirmed rabies death in North America was 35 or so years ago in my sister's senior class-an untreated bat bite was the culprit then too. Beware of a bat or any awild animal bite anywhere!!!!
 

EastTexasGal

Well-known member
We had a confirmed case in Humble, Texas last year where a 16 yr old boy died after getting bitten in his bed one night. The bat flew in his window. Scarey...it was very sad to see his family so helpless.

Easty
 

IL Rancher

Well-known member
We have had bats in our old house from time to time.. Generally after we would get back from a trip somewhere we would find a dead one.. I think the poor sucker spent the last few hours of his live being tormented by the pack of cats that my wife has collected... I always think bats are cool and we do see lots of them at dusk around here.. Rabies on the other hand.. no thank you.
 

nr

Well-known member
I still remember as a kid when one got in our attic and couldn't get out. Dad finally took his pistol and started shooting, did the poor thing in. I was surprised at its leathery wings. I've often wondered what the next owners thought of the bullet holes.
 

IL Rancher

Well-known member
The folks who lived here before we did realy enjoyed pigeon hunting.. Well, I assume it was pigeon hunting.. Unforunately they seemed to emjoy doing it indoors as all the steel roofs are perferated with shot from .410's and 20 guages... That is judging from the piles of shells found in the barns... Little leackage problem when it rains..
 
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