Deadly Disease with No Cure Is in Idaho

There are many diseases that nobody wants to get, and most know that they can put you in bed for days, weeks, or months. Nobody wants to hear that they have cancer, that they have AIDs, or that they have Ebola. These are only a few of the diseases that many know to be deadly and don't want to contract, but there are many more. Some of these diseases, like cancer, you can't prevent from getting, while others are contagious and spread from person to person. As long as they aren't in the area, it is no big deal. Recently, a known case of a deadly disease was detected in Idaho, and coming in contact with it could lead to terrible consequences, including death.

Rabies Detected in Southern Idaho

It was recently announced that a bat with rabies is known to be in Southern Idaho, and having contact with the animal could have dire consequences. A bat recently caught in Minidoka County tested positive for rabies, and while other cases have been detected in the state, this is the first case detected in the southern part of the state. Most bats do not carry rabies, but occasionally they do, and because they are small and hard to see at night, it is easy to come into contact with one without meaning to. If you do see a bat, it is best not to touch it, try to handle it, or capture it. What will happen if you come into contact with a bat with rabies? 

Rabies in Idaho

For those unfamiliar with rabies, if you come into contact with the disease, it is likely fatal. There is currently no cure for rabies, and you and your pets should avoid any animal known to have the disease. Once symptoms appear, they typically progress rapidly and lead to death within a couple of weeks. If you or your pet comes into contact with a rabid animal, it is best to get treatment immediately to prevent the disease from potentially taking your life. Bats are the animals that most carry the disease, with an average of 16 bats per year testing positive for the disease in Idaho. 

Get our free mobile app

When hiking, camping, or if you have bats near your home, make sure to not come into direct contact with them and avoid them as best as you can. If you see one injured, it is best to leave it or to handle it with care with gloves and not to directly touch it. For more on rabies and the rabid bat, make sure to click the links in the paragraphs above.