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Rabid bat and human exposure confirmed in Shawano County. What are the symptoms?
WBAY • • health
Key Points:
- A bat in Shawano County, Wisconsin, tested positive for rabies, marking the first confirmed case in a bat in the county this year, according to the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department.
- A human exposure to the rabid bat occurred within the last 24 hours, and the exposed individual is currently receiving treatment.
- Rabies, a nearly always fatal virus once symptoms appear, can be transmitted through bites, scratches, or saliva contacting broken skin, and early symptoms include irritability, headache, fever, and pain at the exposure site.
- Health officials advise washing bite or scratch wounds immediately, seeking medical care, and safely capturing the animal if possible for testing, while emphasizing preventative measures such as vaccinating pets and avoiding contact with wild or unfamiliar animals.
- Residents finding bats inside their homes should not release them before consulting health authorities, as testing may be necessary to assess rabies risk.
