Rabid bats sparked a public health warning in Illinois: Why rabies is dangerous to humans, pets

Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY
·5 min read
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As if the summer heat isn't enough, officials are also warning the public to be aware of rabid animals.

As of July 12, the Illinois Department of Public Health have recorded 22 instances of rabid bats around the state this year, with several reported in Chicago area counties. And Illinois isn't alone: rabies is more likely to be transmitted to humans and pets during the spring and summer due to an increase in outdoor activities, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health.

Rabies can affect all mammals and is deadly if it is contracted without intervention from proper medical care.

Here's what to know about the rabies virus, and what to do if you encounter rabid animals.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a virus that affects the central nervous system. It is fatal if contracted, but can be preventable thanks to vaccinations and appropriate medical care after potential exposures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rabies is mostly found in wild animals in the U.S., although other dogs in many other countries still carry rabies, and most rabies deaths around the world are caused by dog bites, according to the CDC.

Do all bats have rabies?

While bats can carry rabies, most bats are not infected with the virus. It can also be carried by other wild animals, including skunks, raccoons, foxes, deer and large rodents.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, only 6% of bats that were captured and tested for rabies in the U.S. had the virus.

As of 2019, the CDC reported that bats accounted for a third of the 5,000 rabid animals reported each year in the U.S., but are responsible for roughly 7 in 10 deaths among people infected with rabies.

Bats carry the rabies virus in every U.S. state except for Hawaii.

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How is rabies transmitted?

According to the CDC, the rabies virus is transmitted through direct contact with saliva through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose or mouth. Rabies can also be transmitted through direct contact with brain or nervous system tissue from an infected animal.

There is no associated risk for infection through petting a rabid animal or coming in contact with their blood, urine or feces.

What are the symptoms of rabies?

The symptoms for rabies in humans and animals are often similar, according to the CDC. After an exposure, there is an incubation period, where the virus travels to the brain. The time of the incubation period may last weeks to months, and can vary depending on the location of the exposure site on the body, the type of rabies virus and any existing immunity.

At first, symptoms may present as similar to the flu, including weakness or discomfort, fever or headache. One may also feel discomfort, prickling or an itching sensation at the site of the bite. The CDC says these symptoms may last for days.

From there, symptoms may progress and become more severe, including:

  • Cerebral disfunction

  • Anxiety

  • Confusion

  • Agitation

  • Delirium

  • Abnormal behavior

  • Hallucinations

  • Hydrophobia (fear of water)

  • Insomnia

Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the CDC says the disease is nearly always fatal, with less than 20 cases of human survival from rabies documented.

The CDC says symptoms of rabies in animals are similar to humans, from the early symptoms to the neurologic symptoms and leading to death.

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How many people get rabies each year?

Instances of humans in the U.S. contracting rabies is rare, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, with usually only one to two cases each year.

A rabies vaccine exists for humans, which the CDC recommends for people with a higher risk to exposure, including those who work with potentially infected animals.

What to do if you suspect rabies in humans

It's important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect you've been exposed to rabies.

You'll receive a series of shots to prevent the rabies virus from infecting you if you have been bitten by an animal known to have rabies, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you can't find the animal that bit you, it's safest to assume the animal had rabies.

There are a few different rabies shots, including rabies immune globulin, a fast-acting shot that will prevent the virus from infecting you and is given if you haven't had the rabies vaccine.

You can also receive the rabies vaccine, given in a series of shots. If you haven't had the vaccine before, you'll get four injections over 14 days. If you have had the vaccine previously, you'll get two injections over three days.

What to do if you suspect rabies in pets

The CDC recommends a few different courses of action depending on the type of animal that has been exposed to rabies.

In dogs, cats and ferrets that are currently vaccinated should be revaccinated immediately and observed for 45 days. If they develop any sign of illness, the CDC says that animal should be evaluated by a veterinarian and reported to your local health department.

Should they show signs of rabies, they should be euthanized, and the CDC says the animal's head should be submitted to a diagnostic laboratory for testing.

If livestock has been exposed to rabies and is up to date on their rabies vaccination, they should be revaccinated immediately and observed for 45 days.

If you have other mammals that have been exposed to rabies, they should be euthanized immediately.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is rabies? Symptoms, transmission, dangers to humans and dogs