Bats in Round Rock is something many people should be afraid of, but most people don’t know that. Bats are more dangerous than wasps and bees because the infected person can transmit a virus to others by coming into contact with their saliva or other bodily fluids. In fact, the rabies virus can be transmitted to other people or animals by a bat, even if no bites are observed.
There is one known case of a dog getting the rabies virus from this type of exposure. The dog was later vaccinated for rabies and has shown no indications of being infected with it. (This is not seen as an excuse to keep bats as pets, however. It’s important to keep in mind that there are a variety of other scenarios in which bats can transmit the rabies virus.)
There are four species of bats found in Round Rock. All of them carry rabies and should be kept away from humans at all costs. Below is a list of these species, along with their human heath status and other information:
Rhabdopleura ignobilis (Order Chiroptera) – These bats are considered “negligible” for humans as far as rabies is concerned.
Myotis sodalis (Order Chiroptera) – These bats are considered “negligible” for humans as far as rabies is concerned.
Myotis sodalis var. sodalis (Family: Vespertilionidae) – These bats are considered “not applicable” for humans as far as rabies is concerned.
Scotophilus spilonotus (Order Chiroptera) – These bats are considered “not applicable” for humans as far as rabies is concerned. Other places of interest in Round Rock.
It’s important to note that rabies is not the only problem with these animals. Bats also spread histoplasmosis, a respiratory disease which infects the lungs and is not transmitted by contact with bats. The disease can be found in the droppings of infected bats and can be inhaled when dust from the droppings sticks to the hands or clothes of an individual and are then breathed in.
Histoplasmosis can cause flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all. Treatments for the disease include careful cleaning of the infected person’s home, air filters and pulmonary treatments like individualized oxygen therapy.
A sign that a bat has infected humans with rabies is a sudden onset of seizures or other neurological problems. The animals will also bite and scratch at people, but this may not be a reliable sign that one is infected with rabies. Aside from a dog, there are only two documented cases of a human getting infected with rabies from a bat. (The dog was later vaccinated.)
There is no need to panic when hearing about this, though. In most cases, bats will not bite someone unless they are provoked to do so. The main way that bats transmit rabies is through the saliva-if they bite you while they have rabies or before the onset of symptoms, the virus will enter your body through their saliva and multiply in your nervous system.
Even if you are bitten and have no swelling, itching or other symptoms, it’s important to receive treatment. If you feel as though you’ve been exposed to rabies or have any questions about these diseases, contact your local physician or visit the Texas Department of State Health Services website