Rabid Bats Found in Sheridan County

A baby fox looks cute, but they could carry rabies as well.

Two bats recently tested positive for rabies in Sheridan, with a third one suspected of having the disease. Cole Benton, President of the Sheridan County Predator Management District (SCPMD) said that new cases are beginning to show up around the county. He said that people should be careful and aware all the time if they see a sick animal.

Alan Plummer, Sheridan County Trapper, added that both the bats that tested positive were in the 5^th Street area of Sheridan, one by the hospital and one on Sheridan Avenue.

Benton said another sick bat was reported to Paul Herman and it is currently headed to the lab to find out if it tests negative or positive for the disease. He said that a man found the bat, and the man’s grandmother handled the bat without gloves, “Hopefully it comes back negative, but if it is sick, what are the odds?” Benton said.

He said they have had seven skunks test positive for rabies so far this spring as well as the two bats that tested positive. He added that Sheridan County is still the highest rabies county in Wyoming. He had this warning for residents.

The best advice, Benton said, is if one sees a sick animal is to ‘leave it alone and call either Paul Herman, who is the rabies Mitigation Officer at 307-751-1412; The Wyoming Game and Fish at 307-672-7418 or Alan Plummer, at 307-751-6012

Benton added that the SCPMD has flyers out in several business, as well as post offices, area veterinarians, and other places to educate about rabies. The flyer tells people what to look for, and what to do should anyone suspects a rabid animal.

He added that if your cat or dog is playing with a sick bat, if your pet has been vaccinated it is probably okay, but if you think there has been contact, call the SCPMD, especially for unvaccinated pets.

“Consider all animals as possible rabies carriers, especially foxes, raccoon, skunks and bats,” Benton said.

Vaccination is one key to help to prevent rabies in humans and pets. If an unvaccinated pet is bitten by a rabid animal, the outcome is nearly always fatal, and should be considered as such.

According to the flyer, preventive treatment may be considered in the following situations: physical contact with a bat or have handled one, even if bite marks are not seen; waking up in room in which a bat is present and the presence of a bat around an unattended child. Prompt treatment is essential if rabies is suspected.

Karl Rigrish, Sheridan Memorial Hospital Emergency Department, talked about what the hospital does if a person has been exposed to a rabid animal. There is a series of from 3-7 shots that are given to prevent the disease. The first shot is given near the bite and is immune globulin which is to provide immediate antibodies until the body can respond to the rabies vaccine. After the first shot, there is a series of five shots over a 14-day period.

Rigrish added that although the shots are not necessarily painful, the treatment can be very costly.

The Department of Health recommends that anyone who experiences direct, physical contact with a bat or other possible rabid animal should immediately contact their healthcare provider or their local public health nursing office for help and further information.

If possible, any sick wild animal that comes into contact with humans should be carefully captured, by a professional, so that rabies testing can be performed.