Weekly Medical Tips

Rabid bats are in the news 10 were confirmed with rabies in Ventura, California

Several homes in Moorpark have been a breeding ground for rabid bats. 

 The average amount of rabid bats are ten to twelve per year, but in Ventura county 10 were  tested positive for rabies within the  last two months. The number may rise as more bats are found.

Steve Spence from Moorpark was bitten by a rabid bat as he was throwing out his garbage. He shook the bat off from his barefoot and there was a red mark where the bat bit his foot. His house is now under quarantine by the Ventura County Department of Public Health. He is being treated with vaccines and his dog an American bulldog was also bitten and he is not sure how. His dog is also being quarantined. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health have reported large amounts of rabid bats this summer. Twelve have been reported in Los Angeles and the majority of rabid bats have been focused in Spence's neighborhood in Moorpark.. 

Rabies is  a disease that effects the central nervous system. Rabies is carried through the saliva of the effected host and can be transmitted through a bite or a scratch. When gone untreated it is fatal to humans and animals. When a bat is seen during the day it may be an indication that the bat is rabid. People must stay away from the bat or any wild animal that appears aggressive or overly docile and call animal control or the health department.

CBS Los Angeles. ( July 21, 2011). Officials: Sharp Rise In Number Of Rabid Bats Found In SoCal. Retrieved July 22, 2011, from Officials: Sharp Rise In Number Of Rabid Bats Found In SoCal « CBS Los Angeles

Journalgazette.net. (September 15, 2011). Verbatim: Bats might pose Rabies risk. Retrieved July 22, 2011, from Verbatim: Bats might pose rabies risk | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN

Los Angeles Times. Rabid bat bites Moorpark Man. Retrieved July 22, 2011, from Moorpark man infected by rabid bat - latimes.com