rabies in Benson

[Kali]

https://www.kold.com/2023/09/23/person-bitten-by-rabid-bat-benson/

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - According to the Benson Police Department, a person was bitten by an unknown variety of bat in Benson on September 14.

The Benson Police said the bat was taken to the Benson Animal Shelter and submitted to the Arizona Department of Health for a Rabies test.

On September 21, the test results from the bat revealed it was rabid, authorities said.

The Benson Police said the affected family was immediately contacted and they have responded for appropriate medical care.

more at link

[lapfog_1]

1. yes. A few years ago I lived in St. David

we had a bat ( Mexican bat I think ) that flew into the screened porch and acted very strange.

I thought it might be rabid. We eventually got it off the porch and it flew away... but I wanted to catch it and take to be tested. I was the only one that wanted to do that.

Fortunately no one (and none of the animals) were bitten.

I think they live in the Whetstones near Kartchner caverns.

[Kali]

2. they live all over the place

I think there are at least a half dozen species around at different times of the year. did you see my rabies story from a couple years ago? we had a rabid skunk in the house. tried to bite me on the shin but my hide is too tough. got my son on the foot. he had to have immunoglobulin and shots, the husband and I got vaccinated too. had to fight blue cross over paying for it but they eventually did.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181373791

[lapfog_1]

3. oh no... very sorry to hear that

i missed that story.

yeah, I'm sure there are many rabid animals in that part of Arizona.

we are going to do some remodeling on the ranch house ( tear down a poorly done addition ) and I really worry about what we will stir up ( mouse and rat feces and the disease they carry ). I will be buying heavy gloves, long sleeve shirts and a full face mask for the job. Waiting for the temp to be reasonable for all that gear. Hope we don't run into a beehive... I believe all the bees there are now Africanized.

[Kali]

4. heh, husband got chased by some bees this morning

and I think he brought one in the house, it was crawling on my foot and stung me when I went to brush it away. I know a (the?) guy that did most of the studies on hanta virus, and it doesn't seem to be present down here but dust masks are still a good idea. you can spray things down with bleach water to make sure.

I have been cleaning out our old barn the last couple weeks. no hanta so far LOL, plenty of rodents and their leavings. been trapping and catching several mice and a rat just about every day. what a mess!