ST. GEORGE — A bat collected by National Park Service biologists along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park in mid-August tested positive for rabies, park officials announced Monday.

This has prompted the NPS to issue an advisory to park visitors to avoid bats and other animals in the park that may be infected with the virus.

“Wildlife managers generally report an increase in human-bat interactions in summer months,” NPS officials stated in a Monday press release. “Individuals who have had physical contact with a bat are advised to seek medical attention and be assessed for appropriate medical treatment.”

Rabies is preventable if post-exposure prophylaxis – or PEP – medical treatment is administered following exposure to a rabid animal but is almost always fatal if the treatment is not given prior to the development of symptoms. Because of this, people who believe they may have been exposed to a rabid animal are urged to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Three rabies exposure cases were reported in Utah in June while two others were reported in southern Nevada in May.

Humans can contract rabies through contact with an infected animal’s saliva, such as through a bite or a scratch. Possible rabies infections should be considered in animals that exhibit unusual or aggressive behavior or that are not afraid of humans. Although primarily nocturnal, a bat observed flying during daylight is not indicative of a rabid bat.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. The early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to those of many other illnesses, including fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, increase in saliva, difficulty swallowing and fear of water. Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.

The National Park Service also officers the following tips on how to avoid and deal with rabid animals:

• Never approach or touch wildlife; observe and appreciate wildlife from a safe distance. If you see sick or erratic-behaving wildlife, notify a park employee.
• Anyone who has had contact with a bat or other wild animal in the park should notify a park employee as soon as possible. You should consult with your doctor in the event you have come in contact with an animal believed to be rabid.
• In areas where pets are allowed, make sure that pets are vaccinated and kept on a leash at all times.
• While on a river trip, take extra precautions and sleep in a tent for protection.

While rabies transmission may be more commonly associated more with dogs, the World Health Organization reports that infected dogs contribute to up to 99% of rabies transmissions to humans. Bats are the leading cause of rabies in Utah and Nevada. And in Arizona, bats, skunks and foxes are considered to be the virus’ principal carriers.

Keeping dogs up-to-date with their rabies vaccinations can help keep them safe from potential infection.

Ultimately, all mammals are susceptible to rabies with Utah averaging about 15 rabid animals reported each year.

Last year, five people in the U.S. died as a result of rabies exposure, according to the CDC. This is an uptick from the previous two years that hadn’t seen any rabies-related deaths.

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