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Emilie Pieracci
Bats are responsible for most cases of rabies in the United States, accounting for about 70% of locally contracted infections over the last 60 years, according to a report released today in the United States. MMWR.
The researchers warned that the disease continued to pose a risk to humans in the United States..
"Rabies bats have been reported in all states except Hawaii", Emilie Pieracci, DVM, MPH, veterinarian of the anti-rabies branch of the CDC, said during a phone briefing. "Although the majority of bats in the wild are not rabies, you can not know which bats have rabies by looking at them."
Pieracci explained that many people are unaware that bats can spread rabies.
Bats are the leading cause of rabies in the United States.
Source: Shutterstock.com
"For example, several large groups of people have been exposed to bats in university dormitories, camping camps and schools."
According to Pieracci and his colleagues, data from 1938 to 2018 show a steady decline in the number of human rabies cases caused by dog bites, while bats overtook raccoons in 2015 as the main cause of death. Rabies infections in humans in the United States. 89 cases of human rabies between 1960 and 2018, according to the study.
In addition, mbad bat shows are also on the rise, according to Pieracci. These are cases where 10 or more people are exposed to a potentially rabid bat. Over the coming summer months, Pieracci and his colleagues have warned that increased time spent outdoors – in campgrounds, parks or courtyards – would expose large groups of people to potential interactions with bald people. -mouse.
"People may not realize that bats are rabies and therefore can not consult their health care provider after touching or manipulating a bat," the CDC's deputy director. Anne Schuchat, MD, said in the briefing. "Bat bites are smaller than the top of an eraser and can therefore go unnoticed. This is a problem because rabies is deadly once the symptoms appear. Recognizing the risk and getting treatment quickly is important. "
In 2017 and 2018, an average of 55,000 Americans received post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for potential exposure to rabies each year, according to the results. Schuchat noted that 70% of Americans who died of rabies in the United States were infected with bats.
According to Pieracci and his colleagues, rabies causes about 59,000 deaths each year, including about two in the United States.
"The bottom line is that rabies continues to be a threat in the United States and abroad, and people should consult their health professionals if they think they have been bitten or scratched." by an animal and before their symptoms manifest themselves, "said Schuchat. "An ounce of prevention can go a long way."
Pieracci has proposed to health care providers to reduce the threat of rabies.
"We recommend that infectious disease specialists interview their patients about recent bites or scratches, especially in wildlife," said Pieracci. News on infectious diseases. "We want them to know that state health services are there to help them conduct risk badessments for patients potentially exposed to rabies."
She said that PEP recommendations differed for patients who had been pre-vaccinated against rabies. Pre-immunized patients only need two doses of vaccine, while unvaccinated patients will require four doses of vaccine and one dose of immunoglobulin after exposure to rabies, she said. – by Joe Gramigna
Disclosures: Pieracci and Schuchat do not report any relevant financial information.
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