The disease of rabies is known to affect only mammals. Since bats also fall in the category of mammals as an exception, therefore this animal is also susceptible to the disease. The disease is known to be transmitted from an infected animal through contact with its saliva or blood usually in the form of a bite. |
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In animals, this normally occurs during a brawl between a prey and predator. The bat is preyed upon by a number of animals that include skunks, fox, opossums, raccoons and cats. Despite being able to save its life, if the bat is bitten or scratched by a rabid predator the damage is done. After the incidence of the bite, the rabies virus goes through an incubation period which could extend up to many months. With the culmination of the incubation period begins the clinical phase that is characterized by the projection of symptoms of the disease. During this period itself, the infection gains the potential to be communicated to another organism.
The span of the clinical period in bats is about a week wherein the effect on the disease on the central nervous system starts becoming apparent. Several temperamental changes are noticeable with occurrence of paralysis and finally death. Although the reported incidence of rabies in bats is rather low as put forth by the New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center but precaution is always advisable. Certain ways of minimizing the exposure to bats include plugging any open holes in the buildings to block the entry of the mammal, avoiding contact with a bat especially with bare hands, and instructing children to refrain from touching any bat in sight. In cases of being scratched or bitten by a bat, cleaning the concerned area on the body with soap and water should be the first step towards treatment. The best alternative would be to trap the respective bat so that the public health department can be entrusted with the task of screening the animal for rabies. The results of this diagnosis can be beneficial towards your treatment. Nevertheless, injections for the treatment must be taken to avoid the escalation of the disease.
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