Preventive Treatment Against Rabies After Handling a Bat in Mayenne
A person who handled a bat in Mayenne has been given preventive treatment against rabies. The sick animal was carrying the deadly virus. While cases of transmission to humans are rare, precautions still need to be taken.
A case of rabies has been confirmed in a sick bat found in the town of Sainte-Suzanne-et-Chammes, in Mayenne. This is the first case detected in the department.
According to the Mayenne Prefecture, “a person who handled the bat has been referred to an antirabies center for preventive treatment.” Rabies is a fatal disease if left untreated.
“The rabies in bats is caused by a virus from the same family, but different from the so-called ‘vulpine’ rabies, eradicated in France since 2001 and mainly affecting foxes,” explains the Prefecture in its statement. Transmissions to other species have been very rarely observed in Europe.
Cases of Rabies in Bats in France
The national surveillance network in France has detected approximately three cases of rabies in bats per year since 1989. Only three cases of transmission of the virus from bats to humans have been confirmed since the 1980s.
In August 2019, a case of rabies, likely transmitted by a bat, resulted in the death of a patient in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. This was the “first case of rabies contracted on the metropolitan territory since 1924!” as stated by the Pasteur Institute.
Transmission and Symptoms
The rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal following a bite or scratch. “Bats are wild and protected animals. It is important not to touch, manipulate, or attempt to catch them,” emphasizes the Mayenne Prefecture.
In case of contact, especially if scratched or bitten by the animal, it is important to immediately clean the wound with soap and rinse thoroughly before applying a disinfectant.
Medical advice should also be sought promptly from a doctor or directly from an antirabies center to assess the need for preventive medical care.
Understanding Rabies
Rabies is a nervous system infection, an encephalitis, that disrupts neuronal activity. “The incubation period of the disease is long enough to allow for disease treatment through vaccination before the onset of symptoms,” explains the Pasteur Institute. The disease is invariably fatal if nothing is done before the appearance of symptoms.
Questions and Answers
How is the rabies virus transmitted?
The rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal following a bite or scratch.
What precautions should be taken when handling bats?
It is important not to touch, manipulate, or attempt to catch bats as they are wild and protected animals.
What should be done in case of contact with a bat?
In case of contact, especially if bitten or scratched, the wound should be immediately cleaned with soap, rinsed thoroughly, and a disinfectant applied.
Is rabies treatable if caught early?
Rabies is treatable through vaccination before the onset of symptoms, during the long incubation period of the disease.
What are the symptoms of rabies in humans?
The symptoms of rabies in humans include fever, headache, excess salivation, muscle spasms, and paralysis.
Is rabies fatal if left untreated?
Rabies is systematically fatal if left untreated before the appearance of symptoms.
