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Recommendations

 

Recommendations

Zoonosis Control Branch
image Rabies
(Lyssa)
ICD-9 071; ICD-10 A82
Related Topics: Oral Rabies Vaccine Programs

Recommendations for Postexposure Rabies Prophylaxis in Cases Involving Possible Exposure to Bats

Although bats are fascinating animals, they are also high risk for spreading rabies. If you find an injured, sick, or dead bat, please do NOT touch it. If you require assistance, you can notify your local animal control agency or local health department.

One of the primary concerns if a person has contact with a bat is the possibility of exposure to rabies. Bats have been increasingly implicated as wildlife reservoirs for variants of rabies virus that have been transmitted to humans. Bat bites are not always visible; therefore, any close contact with a bat's mouth needs to be carefully evaluated for the need for prophylaxis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have advised the following recommendations in conjunction with current Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines:

In situations in which a bat is physically present and the person cannot exclude the possibility of a bite (e.g. if the person was sleeping or the bat was found in a room with a previously unattended child or mentally disabled or intoxicated person), postexposure treatment should be considered unless prompt testing of the bat has ruled out rabies infection.

It is especially important to educate children about avoiding contact with bats. For more information or educational materials pertaining to rabies, please contact your regional Department of State Health Services Zoonosis Control office.

References:

  • CDC. Rabies Prevention - United States, 1991: recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee(ACIP). MMWR 1991; 40 (no. RR - 3)
     
  • CDC. Human Rabies - Texas and New Jersey, 1997. MMWR 1998; 47:1-5

 

Texas Department of State Health Services - Infectious Disease Control Unit
1100 West 49th Street, Suite T801, Mail Code: 1960 PO BOX 149347 - Austin, TX 78714-9347
(512) 458-7676 - Fax: (512) 458-7616 - E-Mail

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