NPS Photo/Shawn Thomas
News Release Day: August 12, 2020
Speak to: Joelle Baird, 928-638-7609
Grand Canyon, AZ – Grand Canyon National Park has received affirmation that a bat collected at the Whitmore Helipad, found along the Colorado River close to river mile 187 on August 6, has tested constructive for rabies. The rabies favourable bat did not appear in contact with any readers. In the latest months, wildlife managers have described an raise in human-bat interactions. People today who have experienced physical get hold of with a bat are suggested to seek healthcare focus and be assessed for ideal professional medical remedy.
Rabies is a severe disorder that can eliminate both equally animals and people. Individuals can agreement rabies by means of make contact with with an infected animal’s saliva, these kinds of as a bite or scratch. Probable rabies bacterial infections must be regarded as in animals that exhibit unconventional or aggressive conduct or that are not afraid of individuals.
Rabies is preventable if healthcare procedure (referred to as submit-publicity prophylaxis or PEP) is supplied pursuing an publicity to a rabid animal, but is almost often fatal if PEP is not presented prior to the enhancement of symptoms.
Grand Canyon Nationwide Park would like to remind people about the adhering to precautions to protect on their own from rabies:
- Under no circumstances tactic or touch wildlife notice and respect wildlife from a harmless distance. If you see unwell or erratic behaving wildlife, notify a park employee or phone the park’s 24-hour regional communications middle, 928-638-7805.
- Everyone who has experienced get hold of with a bat or other wild animal in the park must notify a park employee as before long as probable. You need to check with with your health practitioner in the event you have contacted an animal thought to be rabid.
- In places wherever pets are allowed, make confident that animals are vaccinated and stored on a leash at all periods.
- Even though on a river journey consider excess safeguards and sleep in a tent for security.
Rabid bats have been documented in 49 states. Each and every 12 months, cases of rabies in animals are documented in Coconino County, Arizona. Grand Canyon Nationwide Park is doing work with the National Park Support Business of Community Health and fitness and Wildlife Health and fitness Branch to safeguard the wellbeing and basic safety of guests and wildlife in the park by tests any sick or useless wildlife.
The park has more data out there to readers regarding the bats of Grand Canyon , bat analysis, and zoonotic conditions.
-NPS-
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