Bats found in Douglas tested positive for rabies. Reports say that it was found lying on the ground at a peak of the day and was acting abnormally. The Alaskan Department of Fish and Game spoke out on Thursday afternoon.
They say it is the first time testing a bat positive says the wildlife veterinarian Dr. Kimberlee Beckmen, who works for the department of Alaska.
There is no report of any people at risk of exposure, for now, says the Department of Fish and Game. Rabies can be fatal sometimes, and it is advised that anyone who is exposed to a rabid bat should visit the hospital to get any necessary medical treatment.
The Douglas County Health Department and the Nebraska Humane Society asked the locals to protect themselves, as the bats are often seen hiding under the rooftops and chimneys. The area where the infected bat was found will always have bats surrounded every time, so the government asked the pet parents to get their pets vaccinated as soon as possible if not done already.
Bats are the common transport agents of rabies in Douglas, the health department asked the people not to pick up any bats laying on the ground. They are usually nocturnal so seeing them in daylight is absolutely abnormal. Any scratches or bites from it in the process of you trying to lift up a bat laying down can lead you to a risk of getting a rabies infection.
If you see a bat in your living area or around the residential areas, make sure that no one is in contact with it mainly your pets. Try contacting the local health care or animal welfare department if you find the bat is acting a little abnormal or if you found it in daylight.
If you have no idea about the bats and their habits or precautions to protect your family please do visit the Department of Fish and Game website to know more about the bat’s behavior and safety measures to take the right precautions. please do report to the government if you see a swamp of bats vamping around the residential areas to avoid any further spread of the infection. A list of emergency contacts for the area health care offices and more information on bats can be found by visiting adfg.alaska.gov.
Karen Blejwas, a wildlife biologist and bat researcher in Juneau, identified the bat as a silver-haired bat.
“Silver-haired bats are commonly seen in the Juneau area as little brown bats, but they are present,” she said. About six varieties of bat species can be found in Southeast Alaska. The little brown bat is the common and well-populated bat species in Alaska and the only species found in northern Alaska.
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