Rabies Case Confirmed in Washtenaw County
Summary: Washtenaw County officials have confirmed a case of rabies in a bat, marking the first such case in two years. The county health department issued a statement on Wednesday regarding this incident.
Details:
- Discovery: The rabid bat was discovered in the 48108 zip code area, which encompasses part of Ann Arbor north of Michigan Avenue and west of US-23. This information was provided by the county health department.
- Additional Information: Officials did not disclose further details about the specific case, but they emphasized the importance of reporting all encounters with bats and animal bites.
- Statement from Health Department: Ailen Velazquez, the epidemiology coordinator for the Washtenaw County Health Department, commented on the situation. She noted that while there had been a period without any rabies-positive animals, encountering rabid bats annually is not uncommon. Velazquez urged residents to contact the Health Department if they come across a bat in their homes, especially during the summer and fall months when bat encounters are more frequent.
- Risk Assessment: The Health Department’s health staff is available to assess the risk of rabies exposure for callers. Velazquez emphasized the critical nature of this assessment, as rabies is almost always fatal if post-exposure vaccination is not administered.
- Testing Data: As of April 26, Washtenaw County officials have tested 23 animals for rabies, with 13 of them being bats. Only one case has tested positive so far.
- Comparison to Previous Years: In 2022, six animals (all bats) tested positive for rabies. However, no cases were confirmed last year, despite testing 170 animals, including 117 bats.
- Reporting Exposure: Residents are encouraged to report any animal bite or exposure to rabies in Washtenaw County by submitting an online form on the Health Department’s website.
This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing vigilance required to prevent rabies exposure, especially in areas where encounters with bats are more common.
