ST. GEORGE — As summer gets into full swing, Utah public officials have confirmed the first three known cases of rabid bats for this season in the state. In each case, humans and/or their pets were exposed to the bats. That includes one confirmed exposure in Southern Utah. While not an uncommon occurrence, state and local health officials are asking the public to be cautious as rabies can become fatal if contracted and left untreated.

Following exposure to the rabid bats, the humans were given preventative vaccines while the dogs – which were up-to-date with their rabies vaccinations – received booster shots and were placed in a 45-day home quarantine, according to a June 30 press release from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.

Rabies is preventable if post-exposure prophylaxis – or PEP – medical treatment is given following exposure to a rabid animal, but is almost always fatal if the treatment is not given prior to the development of symptoms.

The health department did not mention where in the state the exposures had occurred.

In Southwest Utah, David Heaton, a spokesman for the Southwest Utah Public Health Department (which covers Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane and Washington counties), said they had followed up on some suspected rabies cases so far this year.

“We did have a pet dog exposed to a rabies-positive bat a week ago in our district,” Heaton said. This dog was also current on its vaccine and given a booster and placed in quarantine like the others.

“We encourage vaccinations for pets against rabies and reporting suspected exposures to your veterinarian,” Heaton said.

Last month, the Nevada Department of Agriculture reported it had confirmed two case of rabid bats in Douglas and Clark counties. Like the Utah and Southwest Utah health department, the NDA advises the public to be cautious when when dealing with wild or domestic animals that may show evidence of rabies.

“People should avoid any contact with wild animals that are easily approached or sick, and any animals acting strangely,” Heaton said. “Besides being bitten, humans can be exposed to rabid saliva through scratches or open wounds. Contact the health department or your health care provider if you think you’ve been exposed to rabies.”

Possible rabies infections should be considered in animals that exhibit unusual or aggressive behavior or that are not afraid of humans.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. The early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to those of many other illnesses, including fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, increase in saliva, difficulty swallowing and fear of water. Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.

The following tips on avoiding and dealing with rabid animals come from the National Park Service:

• Never approach or touch wildlife; observe and appreciate wildlife from a safe distance. If you see sick or erratic-behaving wildlife, notify a park employee.
• Anyone who has had contact with a bat or other wild animal in the park should notify a park employee as soon as possible. You should consult with your doctor in the event you have contacted an animal believed to be rabid.
• In areas where pets are allowed, make sure that pets are vaccinated and kept on a leash at all times.
• While on a river trip, take extra precautions and sleep in a tent for protection.

Contact with infected bats is the leading cause of human rabies deaths in Utah. The state also averages about 15 rabid animals reported each year. Last year, five people in the U.S. died as a result of rabies exposure, according to the Utah Health Department.

As rabies-caused deaths are generally rare in the United States, last year’s uptick in rabies-connected fatalities caused the CDC to issue an advisory earlier this year warning the public about the risk the fatal disease posed.

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