MENASHA, Wis. (WBAY) - A bat tested positive for rabies within the city of Menasha.
The Menasha Health Department says the bat was turned over for testing after two dogs and their owner were exposed to the infected bat. Exposure includes bites from an infected bat or saliva entering a scratch, wound or mucous membrane.
"So one of the things we would do in the case, the dog is obviously exposed to a suspect rabies carrier, so we submitted the bat to the state lab of hygiene. The next day it came back that is was positive for rabies," said Todd Drew with the Menasha Health Department.
The dogs are under quarantine at this time. The owner is undergoing rabies treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says rabies treatment includes receiving vaccines over a 14-day period.
The city says it has been at least six years since an animal submitted for testing came back positive for rabies.
While rabies is a preventable disease, more than 59,000 people worldwide die from it each year, which is why health officials are using this case to raise awareness.
This warning also comes on the eve of World Rabies Day, which is Saturday.
Drew added, "This is just a day to kind of raise awareness and just remind people to make sure their animals stay vaccinated and kept current, and people take caution when dealing with wild animals that may end up in their yard or injured or a dog brings one home in it's mouth."
The health department shared these tips to reduce your risk of getting rabies:
• Vaccinate dogs, cats, ferrets and other animals against rabies and check to make sure their vaccines are up to date.
• Do not keep wild or exotic animals as pets
• Do not handle wild animals
• Teach your children to never handle wild or unfamiliar animals
• Prevent bats from entering your home by sealing cracks and gaps especially near the roof.
• If you or a family member gets bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately with liberal amounts of soap and water and report to your physician, urgent care, and emergency room as soon as possible. Report to the local police department if the exposure involved your dog or cat. Any exposure or possible exposure should be discussed with the local health department as soon as possible following the incident.
• If your pet has been in a fight with, or is found with a bat please contact your veterinarian and your local health department immediately.
You cannot get rabies from a bat flying nearby or from bat guano.
CLICK HERE to learn more about bats and rabies.
