Heads up to those planning a visit to Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota, as park officials have identified three bats that tested positive for rabies since May.
The first bat was found on May 5th, deceased near the Elevator Building. The second was discovered near the Visitor Center’s entrance on May 28th. That bat was alive but it was unable to fly. The third bat was again found deceased, this time at the park’s campground.
Currently there have been no reported instances of visitors coming in contact with these bats, and resource management staff have worked with personal protective equipment while collecting the animals for testing.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease, though it is preventable if prompt medical care is received following a potential exposure. Humans can contract rabies through exposure to a rabid animal, usually through a bite, scratch, or contact with saliva. Any direct contact with a bat, dead or alive, is considered a potential rabies exposure, as bites and scratches from bats can be harder to detect.
Wind Cave National Park is working with the South Dakota Department of Health and the National Park Service’s Office of Health and Safety and Wildlife Health Branch on the rabies issue. If you believe you or your family members (including your pets) have had contact with a bat in South Dakota, contact the South Dakota Department of Health at 1.800.592.1861 and your medical provider.
More information on rabies is available on the South Dakota Department of Health website.
