A bat found in eastern Mackinac County has been tested positive for rabies, the Luce Mackinac Alger Schoolcraft District Health Department announced Friday, July 23. People who came in contact with it have been advised and have sought appropriate treatment.

Rabies is a communicable disease that can be acquired if bitten by certain animals that are carrying the disease. Humans contracting rabies have a very high fatality rate, however, post-exposure treatment is highly effective in preventing human rabies when obtained in a timely manner.

Animals that are known to sometimes carry the rabies virus include: skunks, raccoons, dogs, cats, and bats. A more complete list can be obtained by contacting the local LMAS office or checking out the Centers for Disease Control Web site www.cdc.gov/rabies/. Anyone bitten by an animal is urged to contact their family physician for wound care. The physician and health department will cooperatively determine appropriate action, such as quarantining and observing the biting animal for 10 days if possible, submitting the animal for laboratory testing, or, if the animal is unavailable, proceeding directly to post exposure rabies treatment.

In certain circumstances, such as finding a bat in one’s room upon awakening, post-exposure rabies treatment is recommended even when an individual has no knowledge of being bitten. Bat teeth are very small and very sharp and it is possible to be bitten by a bat and not be aware that the bite took place.

For more information regarding rabies, contact the local LMAS District Health Department office and ask to speak with the sanitarian or public health nurse. Contact numbers are 643-1100 for Mackinac County, (906) 293-5107 for Luce, and (906) 341-6951 for the remainder of the service area.