Rabies detected in 3 bats in Mesa County

IMAGE-Bat-generic-Rabies-08-20-07-13971037.jpg

IMAGE: Bat generic, Rabies 08/20/07

Posted: 09/27/2012
Last Updated: 240 days ago

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Mesa County Health Department says three bats have tested positive for rabies in Mesa County in the last week, prompting warnings for residents not to handle wildlife or stray animals.

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of mammals. People can be infected through contact with saliva from an infected animal.

It generally causes death within days of the onset of symptoms including insomnia, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations and difficulty swallowing.

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