GREAT FALLS — The Cascade Metropolis-County Well being Division (CCHD) confirmed final week {that a} bat in Cascade County has examined optimistic for rabies. The company launched the knowledge on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.The CCHD stated that an individual was bitten on the east aspect of Nice Falls. The bat was surprised whereas being eliminated, and the individual collected it and took it to a veterinary clinic for euthanasia. The animal was then despatched to the state lab in Bozeman for testing, and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was offered for the chunk sufferer.Cascade County’s final confirmed rabid animal, additionally a bat, was recognized in August 2023.The CCHD says that rabies is deadly if not handled, however immediate therapy earlier than the onset of signs is sort of 100% profitable. The final recognized human dying from rabies in Montana occurred in 1997.Preventative therapy for rabies is sort of 100% profitable; the final recognized human dying in Montana occurred in 1997.For those who get bitten or scratched by an animal:Instantly wash the affected space completely with cleaning soap and heat water, and in addition use a viricidal agent similar to iodine.Search medical consideration and report the publicity instantly.The CCHD offered this data to stop and appropriately reply to a rabies publicity:Don’t feed or deal with wild animals, particularly bats. Bats and skunks are the probably carriers of the rabies virus in Montana and ought to be averted. Bats are particularly regarding as a result of their tooth are so small {that a} chunk will not be noticeable, and persons are typically bitten of their sleep with out figuring out it.Keep away from animal bites from home animals. Don’t strategy unfamiliar animals, and at all times request the proprietor’s permission earlier than petting an animal.Don’t try to assist a sick or injured wild animal.Vaccinate canines and cats in opposition to rabies. Rabies vaccinations are required by regulation, and all canines and cats ought to have a present rabies certificates. Cats are particularly inclined to rabies.Bat-proof your home. Put screens on all home windows, doorways, and chimneys to stop bat entry. Go to our web site for data on safely catching a bat in your house.Know what to do if there’s a chunk. If somebody is bitten by a home canine, cat, or ferret, the animal may be noticed for indicators of rabies, nearly at all times avoiding the necessity for therapy. If an animal can’t be positioned, noticed, or examined, an individual could must endure a collection of immunizations to stop rabies. If you’re bitten, name a healthcare supplier or CCHD instantly.There are a number of species of bat that decision Montana dwelling, together with: Large Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus); Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus); Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans); and Townsend’s Large-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii).