Authorities are warning Americans to be on the lookout for rabid animals amid a spate of attacks in parts of the country.
This month, a rabid raccoon attacked two dogs and rabid bats were found in two separate homes in Missouri.
Last month, a rabid stray cat attacked a person in Staten Island, New York, while in Massachusetts a rabid coyote attacked two people in a park.
And earlier this year, another rabid raccoon attacked theme park visitors in Pennsylvania in March, and in February, a Rhode Island hiker had to strangle a rabid coyote as it tried to scratch him and his dog.
There are signs that there are more rabid animals than normal in some areas of the country, and health officials are expressing concern, in particular, about bats.
The map above shows which animals are most likely to become infected with rabies in certain areas.
A stray cat with rabies attacked people in Staten Island, New York, last month
Despite the increase in rabid animals, authorities have not reported that rabies infections in humans are increasing.
South Carolina health officials warn about rabies: “It is critical to know that people, especially children, can be bitten by a bat without knowing it. This is because bats have tiny teeth.”
Fewer than 10 people are infected with the disease each year, statistics show, and most infections are prevented by an injection given to people after they have been exposed to animals suspected of having rabies that stops the virus from infecting them.
People suspected of being infected should receive one dose within 24 hours and then three more injections on days three, seven and 14 after their first inoculation.
Rabies is more than 99 percent fatal.
Dr Thomas Moore, an infectious disease expert in Kansas, told DailyMail.com that in recent years he has seen more people concerned about rabies, but not more cases.
“It’s very rare for someone to be diagnosed with rabies,” he said, “and when it happens, it’s sensational: people will find out.”
“Typically, what happens is that if there is an unprovoked animal attack, people become concerned and may get the rabies vaccine.”
Unprovoked animal attacks are a warning sign of rabies because the disease causes animals to approach and be aggressive toward others of any species, including people.
Dr. Moore said he has received three calls so far this year regarding rabies, which is normal for this time of year.
Overall, more than 90 percent of rabies cases nationwide are related to exposure to wild animals: about a third are related to bats and another third are related to raccoons.
A bat that is active during the day — for example, found on the ground or that appears unable to fly — should be treated as if it has rabies, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) officials said.
People contract the virus through the saliva of infected animals that enters open wounds.
“If you have been bitten by any animal, seek immediate medical attention,” the IDPH stated in an advisory in May.
“Bite wounds can become infected and if the animal is at high risk of rabies, preventive treatment should be started quickly,” they noted.
Additionally, whenever possible, officials said residents “should not kill or release the bat before calling their doctor or local health department to help determine if they may have been exposed to rabies and need preventative treatment.”
A captured specimen could help local health officials decide the course of treatment for those exposed, they added.
Many may not realize they have been infected, and the first warning signs of the disease (flu-like symptoms and unexplained tingling) take up to three months to appear.
However, within a week of onset, patients progress to the fatal form of the disease, in which it attacks the brain and spinal cord, causing seizures, hallucinations and excessive salivation.
Nearly all patients who develop a rabies infection die from the disease, which has a mortality rate of 99.9 percent.
But in rare cases, several have survived after doctors placed them in an induced coma. The first person to survive the disease was Jeanna Giese of Wisconsin, who was bitten by a bat in a church in 2004.
In issuing warnings about rabies, North Carolina officials said they had seen an increase in calls from people who had seen sick raccoons.
“Contact with wild animals is the main way that people, pets and livestock are exposed to rabies,” they said.
“You can reduce the risk of rabies exposure for yourself and your pets by avoiding contact with wild animals and taking simple precautions.”
In Missouri, officials are warning about rabies infection in bats and reminding people to avoid direct contact with wildlife.
The warnings were particularly urgent given the recent appearance of baby bats, which can roam around homes increasing the risk of infection.
