Number of bats with rabies virus on the rise in the Baltimore region

[thundley4]

The Baltimore City Bureau of Animal Control is reporting an increase in the number of bats testing positive for rabies in the Baltimore region. Bats with rabies are not unheard of in the area, but the increase has prompted officials to inform the public about the risks of rabies. Although rabies is not exclusive to bats, the animals' ability to fly long distances does mean that rabies can spread to other areas relatively quickly.

Bats with rabies can't fly after a while, so you'll find them on the ground.

Rabies is a viral disease of the nervous system. When infected, the animal becomes aggressive and behaves abnormally. Untreated, the disease is 100% fatal in animals and humans. Humans become infected when bitten by an infected animal. The infection takes some time to develop into disease, so people who are bitten do not seek medical assistance in the timeframe required for treating them. Treatment involves immediate vaccination against rabies virus with a series of shots over the course of a month. The number of shots and their sequence depends on individual situations, though five shots in 28 days is the most common. (A 4-shot series over 28 days may be adopted soon by most providers.)

Bats, dogs (and Batdog here) are susceptible to rabies.So vaccinate your pets.

Mammals infected with rabies act abnormally.This bat, however, is just plain abnormal.

Link

Very informative article with helpful pictures. 

[DixieBelle]

no mention of trans-gendered panthers?