Bats under the roof: a neighborhood that leads to bites and various diseases, including rabies

Types of winged animals

Some species of nocturnal mammals carry diseases that pose a danger to humans. One of the most common diseases that can be contracted through contact with an animal is rabies. The risk of human infection from a bat is lower than from contact with wild animals of other species. For example, foxes or wolves.

In the Russian climate, three types of bats are dangerous:

• pond bat;
• water bat;
• late leather

Read more about bat species in this article.

Moths choose caves, crevices in rocky areas and underground mines as shelter. Late Kozhan can live in houses or apartments. Of the entire colony of animals, only some individuals pose a danger. Infected cells are found in the animal's brain and salivary glands. The virus also accumulates on the skin in the neck area.

This is interesting! Nocturnal animals infected with rabies die quickly. The disease affects their nervous system.

Do mice bite?

In fact, gray eared cats, unlike their closest relatives, rats, are cowardly creatures and will not just attack a person.
Mice show aggression only in a hopeless situation, when they have to defend themselves to protect their own skin. Often, an animal reflexively uses its teeth while in its death throes, which is why it is undesirable to approach them at such moments, and even more so to touch a “suicide bomber” with bare hands.

If we are talking about decorative pets, then they bite only under stressful conditions, for example:

• when kept in a small house;
• with great crowding;
• when living in a noisy room;
• in a moment of fright.

Although decorative mice are often sterile in terms of infections, their bites are also potentially dangerous: pathogenic microflora can enter the wound and a strong inflammatory reaction will begin.

What diseases do bats carry?

The main disease that the nocturnal animal spreads is rabies. But a mammal can infect humans with other types of viruses. Individuals carry deadly diseases:

• Ebola fever;
• SARS virus (SARS coronavirus);
• Marburg virus;
• Hendra fever;
• hemorrhagic fever.

Diseases cannot be transmitted from an animal through the air, so it is not dangerous to be near an animal. But you should avoid contact with the saliva of a mammal. The risk of contracting the virus occurs when a bat bites a person. To prevent this from happening, it is advisable not to touch a wild animal. In cases where you need to remove an animal from your yard, you need to use thick rubber gloves.

Bats play an important role in our ecosystem. However, they are also associated with diseases that are fatal to humans. You should learn how you can stay safe when bats are around.

Diseases Spread by Bats There are only a few deadly diseases that are associated with bats.

Rabies is perhaps the best known disease associated with bats. Along with other animals such as dogs, foxes, raccoons, and skunks, bats are one of the main animals that transmit rabies.

Rabies infection most often occurs when a person is bitten by a rabid animal during an attack. This disease can also be transmitted when the saliva of a rabid animal comes into contact with a person's mouth, eyes, nose or a fresh wound.

When a person becomes infected with rabies, timely administration of a vaccine, known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), can prevent infection. Once a person becomes infected and symptoms begin to appear, rabies is almost always fatal. Every year, more than 55,000 people die from rabies worldwide, and in the United States alone, up to 30,000 people receive PPC due to possible contact with a rabid animal, including bats.

Histoplasmosis is another disease associated with bats. Its symptoms vary greatly, but the disease primarily affects the lungs. Sometimes other organs are affected. When this happens, it can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Additionally, histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus that grows in soil and material contaminated by animal droppings, including bats. Also known as bat guano, bat droppings can contaminate the soil and release infectious spores.

While most people infected experience no visible side effects, antifungal drugs are used to treat many forms of the disease.

Bats and Diseases Around the World Even though rabies and histoplasmosis can be found throughout the world, some diseases associated with bats can only be found in certain regions of the world. Interestingly, studies report that bats may be the source of several hemorrhagic fevers that affect several human organs and systems and often lead to life-threatening illnesses.

One such disease is Marburg hemorrhagic fever, which is found exclusively in Africa. Past outbreaks have shown that Marburg hemorrhagic fever kills up to 90% of those infected.

While its host has been unknown for years, new research suggests fruit bats are the natural source of this virus and it has been re-isolated from bats in Uganda.

The same may be true for Ebola hemorrhagic fever. The virus that causes this disease is often called the "cousin" of the Marburg virus, as they are the only distinctive viruses that belong to a group of viruses known as filoviruses. Like Marburg, Ebola is very deadly and occurs mainly in Africa. Recent research suggests that, as in Marburg, bats are most likely the natural source of this virus, although no Ebola virus has been isolated from bats.

Two other viruses, Nipah and Hendra, are also associated with bats. Research suggests that Hendra virus is associated with fruit bats (commonly called flying foxes) in Australia. Nipah and related viruses are also associated with the same group of bats in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa, although outbreaks in humans have so far been limited to Malaysia, Singapore, India and Bangladesh. Both viruses can cause serious respiratory and neurological illness in people.

Another group of viruses, known as coronaviruses, have been found in several species of bats. Coronavirus infection can sometimes cause mild respiratory illness in humans, but these viruses have also been implicated in the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Southeast Asia. While bats do not carry or transmit SARS, research has linked coronaviruses to bats in countries around the world.

In addition, Lyssaviruses have been found on all inhabited continents. In addition to other diseases that can be fatal to humans, this group of viruses causes rabies. While current rabies vaccines are effective against many viruses in this group, several Lyssaviruses identified in Africa and Asia are primarily associated with bats and cannot be treated by existing rabies vaccines.

Further research may shed light on the role of bats as the source of these viruses and their ability to transmit disease to humans.

Be alert in areas where bats are found Many bats rely on cave roosts and are often found in groups that can number in the millions. Cave explorers, speleologists, divers and others whose activities involve caves in any way should exercise caution when they find themselves in the environment of bats.

Be sure to look for bats, which often hibernate or roost in remote areas of caves. It is also important to avoid contact with mouse droppings. Whenever possible, avoid entering caves that you know have a bat population.

In addition, you should take a flashlight with you into the cave to better determine the presence of bats and other animals. If bats are in close proximity, explore the rest of the cave or move to an area in the cave where there are no bats.

Some bats also roost in tree holes or foliage and can be seen in areas where outdoor activities take place, such as camping. Most bats do not have rabies in their natural environment, and in many outdoor situations the presence of rabies is common and normal.

However, when outdoors, it is worth taking precautions to minimize the risk of exposure to bats and their droppings: Whenever possible, prevent bats from entering outdoor living areas and other isolated areas;

Screens or mosquito netting can serve as a barrier against direct contact with the bat;

Teach children never to touch live or dead bats or any unfamiliar wild or domestic animals (even if they are friendly). Tell them to immediately report any contact or unusual behavior with animals to an adult;

Some materials contaminated with bat droppings may need to be disposed of or decontaminated. In these situations, local and state authorities can provide more detailed information about the requirements for removal, transportation and disposal of contaminated material. Cleaning of areas contaminated with bat droppings should not be carried out by untrained personnel and without appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including a respirator, mask, raincoat and gloves, and untreated potentially infectious material should not be handled.

Take steps to keep bats out of your home Some bats live in buildings and can continue to do so with minimal risk to their occupants. If they are unable to access a residential area, the possibility of contact with humans is very low.

However, bats should always be prevented from invading your home. For best results, contact animal control experts or the Wildlife Agency and ask for assistance.

If you decide to check your premises for bats yourself, here are some tips: Carefully examine your home for openings that could allow bats to enter your living areas;

All holes larger than half a centimeter must be caulked;

Inspect window frames, fireplace masonry and attics;

Fill electrical and plumbing holes with stainless steel or caulk. Make sure all doors on the outside close tightly;

Most bats stay in the fall or winter to hibernate, so this is the best time to inspect your home. During the summer, many young bats cannot fly; if adult bats are excluded during this time, the young may become trapped inside.

Safely Capture Bats and Dispose of Dead Bats If you have a bat in your home, contact a bat control professional or Wildlife Agency for assistance. This can be very important in order to capture a bat for rabies testing, especially if a potential bite or contact has occurred. Sometimes professional help may not be available. In such cases, use precautions to safely catch the bat as described below.

To begin, you will need: leather work gloves (wear them); a small box or coffee can; a piece of cardboard; scotch.

Steps to take to catch a bat: Clear the area of ​​people, especially children, and remove all pets;

Close all doors so that the animal cannot fly away;

When the bat settles down, approach it slowly and cover it with a box or coffee can;

Slide a piece of cardboard under the box so that the bat remains inside;

Tape the cardboard securely to the box and make small holes in the cardboard to allow the bat to breathe.

If no potential contact has occurred, the bat can be safely released outside your home. If there is a bite or contact with saliva (for example, it gets into a person's mouth, eyes, or a fresh wound), contact animal control so arrangements can be made for rabies testing.

Video. How to safely catch a bat

If you come across a dead bat, call animal control to make sure they remove the animal safely. In some cases, such services may not be immediately available. Under these conditions, follow these steps to safely dispose of a dead bat:

Cover it with a cardboard box or container;

Slide the cardboard or plastic lid under the box (container) so that the bat is inside.

Remove it from the premises until animal control officials arrive to safely dispose of the bat.

Treatment After Potential Exposure If you are bitten or get saliva from a bat in your eyes, nose, mouth or wound, thoroughly wash the affected area and seek immediate medical attention.

Bats have very small teeth that can leave wounds invisible to the naked eye. Although few people can tell whether they have been bitten by a bat or not, there are certain circumstances that may suggest that you have been bitten by a bat. For example:

If a person wakes up and finds a bat in his room.

If you find a bat in a room where a child was unattended;

If you see a bat near a person with a disability.

If the above occurs, consult a doctor immediately. In all circumstances, contact local or state health departments for medical attention and testing of bats for rabies. When this is not possible and you cannot find out whether the bat was infected with rabies or whether there was any contact at all, the following steps will be required.

When bat droppings, saliva, or other secretions are found nearby, closely monitor your health, especially for any signs of fever, chills, headache, or muscle pain.

If these symptoms appear after you have been in an area where bats are present, seek medical attention and be sure to note your presence in the area with the date. Look around, there may also be marks nearby and pay attention to the last date, especially if you are in African countries. This is especially important if less than a month has passed since potential exposure to bats.

Living Safely with Bats Even though bats are sometimes carriers of disease, they can coexist peacefully with humans and provide many benefits.

Around the world, bats are a major nocturnal predator of insects, including pests that cost farmers billions of dollars each year. In the tropics, seed dispersal and plant pollination by bats are vital to the survival of the rainforest. In addition, bat research has contributed to medical advances, including the development of navigation aids for the blind. Unfortunately, many native bat populations have been wiped out and many species are endangered.

This entry was published on Monday, September 21, 2015 - 00:06. You can leave a comment.

Where can you find a bat?

Nocturnal animals that live in mid-latitudes love to settle near gardens and vegetable gardens. This is due to the fact that they destroy many insect pests. Individuals often choose to live in places near bodies of water where there are many mosquitoes.

Individuals rarely live alone. They form colonies of several dozen nocturnal mammals.

In winter, animals fall into a long sleep - suspended animation. Winged animals choose caves, crevices in rocks, and tree hollows as a shelter.

In residential areas they are located in underground mines and deep wells. Bats also choose residential buildings for sleeping. They live in basements, balconies, and attics of houses. The air temperature in the shelter of nocturnal animals should be no lower than 0°C.

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Biological features

It is worth highlighting several features of the life activity of such mice:

• The presence of wings;
• Ability to fall into stupor;
• Orientation when moving using echolocation.

The unique skill of falling into torpor is the forced inhibition of metabolism and slowing down the heartbeat. Sometimes animals spend the winter in this way if necessary to survive unfavorable conditions. If a mouse flew into an apartment, then most likely it lost orientation in space. The animals have low vision and use echolocation to move. The animal has big ears for a reason. The mouse tries to make a sound at a high frequency, which is reflected from objects and similarly quickly determines the flight distance.

Bats seek food among insects, but large species prefer to eat frogs and birds. There are also vampires that suck blood from small mammals.

Why is a bat bite dangerous?

Small winged animals can cause serious injury. These are not aggressive animals, but when frightened, bats can attack a person in defense. It's not just sharp teeth that pose a threat. Infected individuals can transmit the deadly virus to humans.

Advice! If the bat cannot fly and appears lethargic and inactive, do not touch it without thick rubber gloves. There is a high chance that she is infected.

If a colony of nocturnal mammals has settled near your house, do not worry too much. The rabies virus is not transmitted from one animal to another, so the accumulation of nocturnal animals in a residential area does not pose a danger to people. On the contrary, in large colonies bats develop immunity to the disease. The risk of infection is low. But still he is there.

After a bat bite, it is recommended to immediately go to a medical center.

Consultation with a doctor is required if one of the following symptoms is present:

• redness and itching at the wound site;
• insomnia;
• prolonged increase in temperature;
• severe headaches;
• excessive irritability;
• fast fatiguability;
• nausea;
• lack of swallowing reflex;
• painful reaction to light;
• hallucinations.

All these signs may indicate rabies infection. You can cope with the disease only with the help of medications.

The first symptoms may appear 10 days after the bite. In some cases, signs of rabies appear 2 months after contact with infected individuals.

Winged mammals that feed on blood are not found in Russia. Bats bite if they sense danger.

What should first aid be?

What to do after getting bitten? Where to go and how to get treatment? First of all, you need a wound:

• rinse with clean water;
• handle.

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When washing a wound, use any detergent; laundry soap is best. This must be done carefully, within 10-15 minutes. You need to treat the wound with any alcohol-based disinfectant:

• medical alcohol;
• vodka;
• cologne;
• iodine;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• brilliant green

After treating the wound, you need to bandage it with a sterile bandage and be sure to consult a doctor at your local emergency room . After the examination, he will provide additional recommendations and directions.

Basically, treatment consists of taking rabies immunoglobulin drugs and rabies vaccine.

Threat to man

To a greater extent, such animals do not pose a significant threat to us. There is an unusual mouse in the apartment and you don’t know what to do? The animal flew into the room by accident and in such situations it is better to quickly open the window and then leave the room. The animal will quickly find a way out of your house and fly out on its own. When a creature cannot orient itself in space, use gloves for protection, carefully catch the lost creature and release it into the wild.

There are exceptional situations when such mice settle in houses. Animals choose the balconies of high-rise buildings and settle down there, but they will not cause much discomfort to apartment residents. You can notice the close presence of representatives of the species by the characteristic squeaks and intense rustling sounds that are heard at night. If you still want to get rid of uninvited guests, but do not know how to get rid of mice in the attic or on the balcony, then take the following steps:

• At night, find a gap between the ceilings in which the animals have settled;
• Make sure that no one is inside the nest;
• Carefully close the entrance to the shelter.

If you live in a rural area, then the chances of encountering bats increase several times. Animals live in barns, attics and roofs. The neighborhood will be invisible to you and is very positive. Mice will not spoil your property and will begin to destroy annoying insects for food.