This is the first case of rabies identified in the department.
- Except for a few described cases, the outcome is always fatal when rabies occurs.
- Rabies is transmitted to humans through direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal.
- A resident of Sainte-Suzanne-et-Chammes discovered a bat infected with rabies, putting the Mayenne prefecture on alert.
According to France Bluea resident of Sainte-Suzanne-et-Chammes discovered a bat infected with rabies.
“This is the first case detected in the department,” “said the office of the Mayenne prefect Marie-Aimée Gasparia in a press release.The person who handled the bat was referred to a rabies centre for preventive treatment,” also indicates the document.
Rabies: “isolated cases are regularly detected in France”
“Bat rabies is caused by a virus from the same family but different from that of so-called fox rabies, eradicated in France since 2001 and mainly affecting foxes,” also explains the file sent to journalists. “Transmissions to other species have only very rarely been observed in Europe,” he reports.
“Let’s be vigilant in Mayenne. Although rabies is no longer endemic in France, isolated cases of rabies are regularly detected. They are linked to the introduction of pets from countries where the disease is still circulating.” nevertheless recalls Marie-Aimée Gasparia on X. “Worldwide, rabies kills one person every ten minutes,” she continues.
“Bats are wild and protected animals. It is therefore important not to touch them, handle them or try to catch them,” the prefecture also points out. If you discover an injured or dead specimen, please be aware that you must contact the French Biodiversity Office of Mayenne on 02.43.02.97.70 or at the following email address: sd53@ofb.gouv.fr.
What are the symptoms of rabies?
The rabies virus is present in the saliva of infected animals (dogs, cats, wild mammals, etc.). “Transmission to humans occurs through direct contact with the saliva of an animal contaminated by a bite, scratch or licking of excoriated skin of a mucous membrane. Contamination from human to human is exceptional (organ transplants, transmission from mother to fetus)”, precise the Pasteur Institute.
After a few days to a few months of incubation, the affected individual develops a picture of encephalitis. The symptomatic phase often begins with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and various neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety and agitation. Hydrophobia (involuntary spasm of the neck and diaphragm muscles at the sight of water) is sometimes observed.
“Once the signs appear, the progression is to coma and death within a few days. Except for a few cases described, the outcome is always fatal when the disease appears,” concludes the research center.
