Mom brings rabid bat to school

i don't understand why the teacher didn't prevent the demonstration in the first place...

The only way to test for rabies is to kill the host, and test it's brain... therefore if this bat was actually tested, and was positive... it would have been headless... and WHY would you take a headless creature to an elementary school? Not all wildlife is rabid!! Just because the species is known to POSSIBLY carry rabies, it doesn't meant that individual animal is!! Respect living creatures, don't kill them becasue you are afraid of them!! LEARN about them... you'll find their not as scarey as you thought!!

Here's a fact for you... you are more likely to encounter a DOMESTIC CAT that has rabies than any wildlife! Keep that in mind the next time you want to kill a defenseless creature, and let your child play with the neighborhood stray/outdoor cat!

I live only 11 miles from the community in question of the rabid bat. It is very common to have them fly in early dusk here. We are a mountianous area, and many hiding places for them. For ANYONE to find a dead wild animal here is also common. I also agree caution for displaying a dead animal is common sense though. use of gloves..not allowing children to touch but observe should have been followed. Most people know that dead animals start to decompose as soon as they die harboring bacteria and viruses not to mention the reason of its death. Shame on all of them who allowed the children to touch.

How utterly stupid and irresponsible of this woman, and anyone who by now doesn't know that bats are the number one carrier and offender in the spread of rabies. I have known this since I was a child myself, and I just don't understand why everyone doesn't. Don't you people read anything informative or substantive anymore?

Once when I was a kid i fell down this old well and there were all these bats and it scared me. Since then I've managed to use my fear of bats to instill fear in those that choose to prey on the weak.

B.W.

I always loved Show and Tell! "Show them a dead bat...Tell them they'll need rabies shots." Sounds great!

Hall Monitor
http://detentionslip.org

Rabies has vector species (species of origin) and depends on what region you live in. Here in NJ that species is raccoons. Cats (feral) are second highest on the list since they will get into occassional scuffles with raccoons...then pass it amongst eachother in fighting. Foxes, groundhogs and VERY RARELY opposums are other species that may contract it thru contact with a raccoon or feral cat. Smaller animals, such as squirrels, chipmunks, mice etc....would be extremely rare to contract rabies...since the animal PASSING the virus is much much larger and more likely to kill the smaller animal. Most squirrels, chipmunks, etc are going to die if attacked by a raccoon or cat (if the sick raccoon/cat could even catch them). So I really don't worry about small rodents...the chances of coming across an infected one is very very slim.

WHERE was the TEACHER???? I give NO blame to the parent..NONE!! This is ALL the Classroom Teacher's fault!!!!!!

Instead of coming up with different ways (like latex gloves) that the kids could have handled a RABID BAT, how about adults start thinking. Take the kids to the zoo or the science museum or buy a book. And, as for the mother not knowing whether or not it was rabid, it was a dead bat for Pete's sake! It is common knowledge that certain species including bats, skunks and racoons for a few examples, are highly exposed to rabies and should never be handled by humans. As a matter of fact, no wild animal should be handled by humans. Exceptions? Professionals who know the risks, and have the appropriate training and safety precautions and equipment. I don't think grade school children or soccer moms typically fit the bill.

i agree karen.

Why do some of these comments have a reply link and some don't? I've never been on a blog site so this is new to me. You can respond to my question at srowden@sqmenergy.com if you want.

2 or 3 shots are normal for preventative purposes...for example for vets who might come in contact with rabid animals. Post-exposure for someone not previously vaccinated requires globulin (amount based on weight) and 5 vaccine shots.