via Associated Press
In the United States, an infestation of bats was able to exhibit at the rage up to 500 tourists from a national park. (Illustration image)
Animals – The chalets were infested with bats. In the United States, health authorities are struggling to alert hundreds of tourists that they may have been exposed to the Rage virus during their stay in the Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. The alert was launched after bats were found in housing of the Jackson Lake Lodge, a hotel located in the park.
The problem was identified by the establishment on July 27, reported Associated Press in an article published this Saturday, August 16. Open in May, the chalets concerned have since unoccupied, but the evil is done: the authorities estimate that up to 500 tourists have been exposed to rage by residing in housing. They come from 38 different American states and 7 foreign countries.
During a test carried out on Friday August 15, none of the dead bats taken on site and then examined was positive for the virus. But to believe the Doctor Alexia Harrist, head of the health of Wyoming, this small test sample transmitted to the state laboratory is not representative of the dozens of bats which had colonized the attic above the row of chalets.
Bat bites can go unnoticed
On its site, the American National Parks Service (NPS) recalls that a person is considered to be “Exposed to rage” In case of direct contact with an infected animal if its saliva comes into contact with a wound or if there has been a bit or scratch. But these can pass “Unnoticed”, “Especially when people sleep”insists the doctor.
“What really concerns us are the people who have seen bats in their room or who may have had direct contact” With the animal, she explained. As a preventive and to limit the risks, the authorities recommended that people who found bats in their accommodation to make prophylactic injections preventing the incubation of the virus.
This council also applies to young children, in accordance with the recommendations of the NPS which deem them incapable of “Confirm or report” If a “Potential exposure” took place. The services of national parks also places people in risk in the “Deep sleep”those “Suffering from a mental handicap” or taking psychoactive substances.