Two Human Diseases Carried by Bats

Bats may not be the first disease-carrying animals that come to mind, but these little critters can carry some of the most miserable maladies that affect humans. Here are two examples:

Rabies

Caused by the virus Lyssavirus Rabies, rabies is not a laughing matter. Just like raccoons and other rodents, bats are known to potentially carry this virus and transmit it to humans via contact from their teeth to your skin. It goes without saying that it’s a good idea to avoid bat bites. The virus exists in their saliva and enters your bloodstream the moment it makes contact through broken skin.

While not all bats carry this virus, and it is not very prevalent in most parts of Canada, it’s best to err on the side of caution when dealing with wild animals. Only about 1% of bats are infected with rabies. However, if you’re bitten by a bat, immediately seek professional medical care to ensure you haven’t contracted a virus, or, if you have, get proper treatment for it.

Histoplasmosis

This particular disease comes from those who have been exposed to bat guano that is infested with the Histoplasma Capsulatam fungus. This is quite possibly the main concern for homeowners who think they have bats living in their attic. Histoplasmosis is airbourne and infects humans who breathe it in through the lungs, so if you have infected bat guano sitting in your attic, you could potentially be breathing in a dangerous disease in the air of your own home.

The symptoms of Histoplasmosis range in intensity. A victim can show no symptoms whatsoever, or have a severe reaction. Symptoms can mirror the flu, with mild fever, aching joints, chills, hot and cold flashes, and cough/chest pain that’s most prevalent when you breathe deeply. These symptoms can come and go, and may progress into a chronic lung condition which can be fatal.

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On May 30th, 2017   /   Animal and Wildlife Control, Bats   /   Leave a comment