The Municipal Health Secretariat (SMS) of Caxias do Sul confirmed a second case of rabies in bats in 2023. Of the 51 bats analyzed for rabies in the year, only two were positive. Despite the low number of positive cases, the Health Department advises the population to avoid direct contact with these animals, as they can transmit the disease to humans if they are infected. There has been no record of rabies in humans in Rio Grande do Sul since the 1980s, which reinforces the importance of prevention.
According to Rogério Poletto, technical director of Environmental Health Surveillance, the situation is under control and there is no need for the population to despair. However, he stresses that there is a risk if people handle bats that may be infected with the rabies virus. Recommendations are to never touch the bats with your free hand, and instead throw a towel over it or tip a bucket over it so it gets stuck. Next, it is important to communicate the Surveillance. These precautions are important to avoid exposure to rabies virus.
The bat was collected by a resident of the Cruzeiro neighborhood in Caxias do Sul on April 10th. He used leather gloves to avoid direct contact with the animal and handed it over to Environmental Health Surveillance. There was no contact between the bat and other animals or people. The positive result for rabies was obtained after analysis at the Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor, in Eldorado do Sul, a state laboratory that is a reference in rabies.
The orientation of the Environmental Health Surveillance, as Poletto explains, is for the population not to directly touch bats that are out of their natural habitat or in an abnormal situation. This includes bats that have fallen in streets or courtyards, inside homes or even if they have been hunted by dogs or cats. In these cases, the guidance is not to touch the bat and contact Surveillance, which is responsible for collecting and forwarding it for analysis.
If you have had contact with bats or have been bitten by other wild animals, it is important to immediately go to a Basic Health Unit (UBS) to receive preventive treatment against rabies. The risk of disease transmission by these animals is high and prompt notification is crucial to ensure their safety.
Another Surveillance guideline is for the population to keep domestic animals vaccinated against rabies.
Stay tuned
Abnormal situations that must be communicated so that the Environmental Health Surveillance can collect the bat for analysis:
- bats performing diurnal flights (the healthy animal has nocturnal habits)
- bats lying on the ground, on balconies, patios or inside homes (bedrooms, bathrooms…)
- bats that had contact with dogs or cats (hunted by these animals) or with humans
- keep dogs and cats vaccinated with anti-rabies
How to proceed:
- don’t touch the bat
- place a bucket, towel or box over it, so that the animal does not escape until the Surveillance team arrives
- contact Environmental Health Surveillance at 3901-2503
Guidelines
In Caxias do Sul, for general guidance, contact is via Alô Caxias (156).
Check out the main symptoms of a person infected with bat rabies:
Rabies is a viral disease that can be transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected animal such as bats, dogs, cats and other animals. Symptoms of rabies in humans can vary, but usually include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Hallucinations
- difficulty swallowing
- seizures
- Paralysis
- Confusion
- Coma
If a person has been bitten or scratched by a bat or other infected animal, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Early treatment can prevent rabies from developing.
It is important to remember that rabies is a serious and potentially fatal disease, so preventive measures such as avoiding contact with wild animals and vaccinating pets are essential to prevent the spread of the disease.
The Municipal Health Secretariat (SMS) of Caxias do Sul confirmed a second case of rabies in bats in 2023. Of the 51 bats analyzed for rabies in the year, only two were positive. Despite the low number of positive cases, the Health Department advises the population to avoid direct contact with these animals, as they can transmit the disease to humans if they are infected. There has been no record of rabies in humans in Rio Grande do Sul since the 1980s, which reinforces the importance of prevention.
According to Rogério Poletto, technical director of Environmental Health Surveillance, the situation is under control and there is no need for the population to despair. However, he stresses that there is a risk if people handle bats that may be infected with the rabies virus. Recommendations are to never touch the bats with your free hand, and instead throw a towel over it or tip a bucket over it so it gets stuck. Next, it is important to communicate the Surveillance. These precautions are important to avoid exposure to rabies virus.
The bat was collected by a resident of the Cruzeiro neighborhood in Caxias do Sul on April 10th. He used leather gloves to avoid direct contact with the animal and handed it over to Environmental Health Surveillance. There was no contact between the bat and other animals or people. The positive result for rabies was obtained after analysis at the Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor, in Eldorado do Sul, a state laboratory that is a reference in rabies.
The orientation of the Environmental Health Surveillance, as Poletto explains, is for the population not to directly touch bats that are out of their natural habitat or in an abnormal situation. This includes bats that have fallen in streets or courtyards, inside homes or even if they have been hunted by dogs or cats. In these cases, the guidance is not to touch the bat and contact Surveillance, which is responsible for collecting and forwarding it for analysis.
If you have had contact with bats or have been bitten by other wild animals, it is important to immediately go to a Basic Health Unit (UBS) to receive preventive treatment against rabies. The risk of disease transmission by these animals is high and prompt notification is crucial to ensure their safety.
Another Surveillance guideline is for the population to keep domestic animals vaccinated against rabies.
Stay tuned
Abnormal situations that must be communicated so that the Environmental Health Surveillance can collect the bat for analysis:
- bats performing diurnal flights (the healthy animal has nocturnal habits)
- bats lying on the ground, on balconies, patios or inside homes (bedrooms, bathrooms…)
- bats that had contact with dogs or cats (hunted by these animals) or with humans
- keep dogs and cats vaccinated with anti-rabies
How to proceed:
- don’t touch the bat
- place a bucket, towel or box over it, so that the animal does not escape until the Surveillance team arrives
- contact Environmental Health Surveillance at 3901-2503
Guidelines
In Caxias do Sul, for general guidance, contact is via Alô Caxias (156).
Check out the main symptoms of a person infected with bat rabies:
Rabies is a viral disease that can be transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected animal such as bats, dogs, cats and other animals. Symptoms of rabies in humans can vary, but usually include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Hallucinations
- difficulty swallowing
- seizures
- Paralysis
- Confusion
- Coma
If a person has been bitten or scratched by a bat or other infected animal, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Early treatment can prevent rabies from developing.
It is important to remember that rabies is a serious and potentially fatal disease, so preventive measures such as avoiding contact with wild animals and vaccinating pets are essential to prevent the spread of the disease.
