Quick Take
- The most recent Butler County case didn't involve a person stumbling across a wild bat. A family pet was the link. See the pet connection →
- Bats aren't the only rabid animals showing up in Ohio, and the other culprit is one most suburban residents would never suspect. See the other rabid animals →
- Health officials have one surprisingly specific home fix that could keep rabid bats out, and most people have never thought to do it. Get the home-sealing tip →
There is no greater nightmare than being bitten by a rabid animal. While other viruses can come and go or be treated effectively with certain measures, rabies has no treatment. Once someone shows even a single symptom of rabies, the outcome is almost always death. It is the stuff of nightmares, which is why authorities are extremely cautious with potential cases. One county in Ohio is currently dealing with a growing spread of rabies after a fourth rabid bat was found in less than a month.
Concern is high in Butler County, Ohio, and for good reason. Rabies can spread quickly; it travels in the saliva of infected animals. Once infected, an animal or person can spread it through biting or by getting infected saliva in open wounds or mucous membranes. Let’s learn more about this fourth case of rabies in Ohio and what local officials are doing to stop its spread.
Butler County Bites
Four rabies-infected bats have been found in Butler County, and five total in Ohio.
©Ken Griffiths/Shutterstock.com
On Friday, May 22, the Ohio Department of Health was notified about a case in the city of Hamilton in Butler County. Health Commissioner Cindy Hogg was unable to share many details. However, other sources confirmed that a person was bitten by a rabid bat.
A little over two weeks later, on June 5th, a resident of Greenville in Darke County found a rabid bat. This was the first rabid bat found in the county in a decade. As the weeks passed, the number of detected rabid bats continued to increase. One was collected in West Chester Township on June 12th, and another was found in Hamilton the same day.
Most recently, the Butler County General Health District announced another case of a bat testing positive for rabies in West Chester Township. This marked the fourth case for the county. At least two of the positive bats have been found in West Chester Township. According to one source, the latest case involved a family pet that was exposed to a rabid bat.
Other Ohio Cases
Rabid bats are a growing problem in Butler County. However, other Ohio counties are enduring a surge of rabies cases involving other types of animals. As reported by WTRF News, multiple infected animals were found in both Brooke and Ohio counties, including raccoons, during the past six months. In response, the Ohio County Health Department reassured residents that it works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide vaccine baits to stop the disease’s spread.
Rabies Safety Tips
While exposure to rabies is rare, any animal that behaves unusually can be a cause for concern. As such, health officials urge people to avoid any and all contact with wild animals, sick or injured animals, or unfamiliar animals. Do not feed wild animals, either. Vaccinations for pets should be up to date, and pet owners should avoid allowing their pets to roam freely. Regarding bats, health officials in Butler County advise residents to seal openings in their homes larger than one-quarter inch.
