Breaking News

Increase in Human/Bat Exposures

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) is notifying all communities about the increase in human/bat exposures in various locations in Cuyahoga County. To date in 2007, there have been 24 total bat encounters. Four of those encounters have been exposures to rabid bats found inside residential homes, and one was found at a bus stop. After consultation with a Cleveland Metroparks bat expert, there is no scientific explanation for this increase.

Here is an explanation of what a potential rabies exposure is or is not, as well as information and recommendations for preventing exposures inside your home.

A rabies exposure can be defined as:

• Bites, scratches, saliva or nervous tissue in contact with mucous membrane or an open break in the skin
• Bat found in a room with a sleeping person
• Bat found in proximity to an unattended child who is not able to describe what happened
• Bat found in room with an individual under the influence of alcohol or drugs with other sensory or mental impairment

A non-rabies exposure is defined as:

• A teenager or adult touches the fur or legs of a live bat
• Person has contact with a completely fried-up carcass of a bat
• Bats are found in other parts of the house even if bedroom doors were open
• Bats found in a bedroom when no one is there or there is an awake adult

Contact CCBH at 216-201-2001, ext. 1241 or at www.ccbh.net for more information.

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