Summer brings increased exposure to possible rabies

The summer time is a popular time for people to get outside and go hiking or camping. But with that extras outdoor time brings extra exposure to the possibility of rabies.

One doctor at the University of Missouri’s Urgent Care Center says she’s seen at least 10 patients this summer receive a rabies vaccination.

“We had a case a couple weeks ago where a couple was in a cabin and woke up and there were bats in there,” Doctor Tara Flynn said.

Flynn said in the last seven years, there have been two people die from rabies in Missouri. The key is early treatment. Experts say once a person starts showing symptoms, a vaccine is often too late.

Flynn also said while people have more exposure to dogs or cats, there’s more risk for contracting rabies from bats.

“Dogs are much less likely to have rabies than to say bats or skunks.”

Oftentimes, bat bites go unnoticed. Their small teeth make it difficult to feel the bite or find a bite-mark.

“When it comes to bat bites, it’s better to err on the side of giving the vaccination,” Flynn said.

If a person is bit by a bat or other wild or stray animal, Flynn says, if they can, to catch the animal. The animal can then go to the state lab for testing or observation to determine if it has rabies.

The process for a rabies vaccine is an extensive one. Flynn said if a bite-mark can be found, there’s one shot that goes directly in and around the bite area. Additionally, there’s a series of four shots the patient will receive over two weeks.

“So usually its an initial shot, that’s day zero. Then you have one at day three, day seven and then day 14.”

Flynn also said a tenuous shot may be necessary as well.

Bats are common in caves including in the Devil’s icebox are at Rock Bridge State Park.