A report that a recent visitor to Dinosaur National Monument experienced a bat exposure has TriCounty Health Department wanting to get in touch with those exposed. Their message to the exposed individuals is simply that “any bat acting unusually may be carrying the rabies virus, and should not be touched or handled. Visitors who have had physical contact with a bat should clean the area with soap and water immediately and seek medical attention for post exposure medication as soon as possible and notify the National Parks Service Office of Public Health of the encounter.” Rabies is a viral disease spread through the saliva, bite, scratch or mucus membrane of an infected animal but it is preventable in humans by administering the proper medications soon after exposure. A tiny scratch from a bat that is not even noticeable could be enough to expose the individual to rabies. Anyone that may have encountered a bat recently at Dinosaur National Monument is encouraged to contact TriCounty Health Department and notify the National Parks Service Office of Public Health at publichealthprogram@nps.gov.
