A rabid bat. A case of rabies has been reported in a chiroptera in the town of Gouvieux, in Oise. This first case detected in this department has been confirmed by the Institut Pasteur. Two people who handled the animal were immediately taken to the anti-rabies center of the Compiègne hospital to undergo preventive treatment, reports the Courrier picard. But their condition is not considered worrying.
The rageobserved in bats differs from vulpine rabies (of the red fox), eradicated in France since 2001. “Transmissions to other species including humans have only been very rarely seen in Europe“, specifies the prefecture of Oise in a press release.
The only cases of animal rabies that have occurred in recent years are linked to illicit imports of dogs from countries where this disease is endemic, such as in North Africa.
Bats are the only animals in which autochthonous cases of rabies are still observed in France. “The national surveillance network has detected around sixty cases since 1989 out of more than 2,000 bats analyzed”, specifies the prefecture.
The precautions to take
This reminds us that bats are wild and protected animals that should not be touched or handled and even less caught. “In case of discovery of an injured or dead specimen, it is advisable to contact the departmental direction of the protection of the populations”.
In the event of contact and especially scratching or biting by a bat, the wound must be immediately cleaned with soap and rinsed thoroughly before applying a disinfectant. These precautions must be followed by a consultation with a doctor or an anti-rabies center who will decide on any preventive treatment.
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