Officials Issue Rabies Warning
Cases, rabid bat numbers increase
Daniel Barber/Muleskinner
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Missouri officials issued a statewide health warning about rabies in September, due to an increase in the number of rabies cases in the past two years.
The warning was issued after 10 reported cases of rabid bats in Kansas City, along with 54 rabies cases in animals across Missouri so far in 2006 - 21.5 more cases than the average per year.
There were 73 rabid animal cases in 2005.
Gerald Hoff, epidemiologist for the Kansas City Health Department, told The Kansas City Star that bats are generally harmless and beneficial because of the bugs they eat.
But problems can occur when people confront sick bats, Hoff said.
People should avoid skin contact with sickly or dead bats, he said. Don't handle them.
Bats have been a concern across campus at UCM for some time now, getting into campus buildings such as Foster Knox residence hall.
Brenda Moeder, associate director of University Housing, said it is no secret that bats have been a problem, but measures to prevent them are being taken.
"We have had talks about the problem and are really optimistic," Moeder said.
"[Fixing the problem] would require students to assume responsibility."
A letter was sent out in September to Foster Knox residents, warning them of the possibility of animals in the environment getting in through open doors and windows.
To ensure unwanted animals and pests do not migrate into the building, a letter from University Housing said to keep exterior doors and window screens closed at all times.
This will minimize the availability of access points to the building.
Bats have been migrating to Foster Knox, because of the large number of insects in the evening that are attracted to the lights at the top of the building.
The bats look for warmer climates as the temperature begins to drop, and they migrate to the building for shelter.
Northwest Missouri State University uses bat houses, which may be an option.
However, Fostor Knox is near an elementary school, so safety is a concern.
Problems with any sort of pest, rodent or animal can be addressed by calling the University Housing at 543-4852.
The warning was issued after 10 reported cases of rabid bats in Kansas City, along with 54 rabies cases in animals across Missouri so far in 2006 - 21.5 more cases than the average per year.
There were 73 rabid animal cases in 2005.
Gerald Hoff, epidemiologist for the Kansas City Health Department, told The Kansas City Star that bats are generally harmless and beneficial because of the bugs they eat.
But problems can occur when people confront sick bats, Hoff said.
People should avoid skin contact with sickly or dead bats, he said. Don't handle them.
Bats have been a concern across campus at UCM for some time now, getting into campus buildings such as Foster Knox residence hall.
Brenda Moeder, associate director of University Housing, said it is no secret that bats have been a problem, but measures to prevent them are being taken.
"We have had talks about the problem and are really optimistic," Moeder said.
"[Fixing the problem] would require students to assume responsibility."
A letter was sent out in September to Foster Knox residents, warning them of the possibility of animals in the environment getting in through open doors and windows.
To ensure unwanted animals and pests do not migrate into the building, a letter from University Housing said to keep exterior doors and window screens closed at all times.
This will minimize the availability of access points to the building.
Bats have been migrating to Foster Knox, because of the large number of insects in the evening that are attracted to the lights at the top of the building.
The bats look for warmer climates as the temperature begins to drop, and they migrate to the building for shelter.
Northwest Missouri State University uses bat houses, which may be an option.
However, Fostor Knox is near an elementary school, so safety is a concern.
Problems with any sort of pest, rodent or animal can be addressed by calling the University Housing at 543-4852.
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