Are Bats Dangerous to Humans or Pets?

Bats have become a problem and a more serious danger because caves, their natural habitat, have been systematically destroyed by humans through tourism, quarrying rock, and mining operations.

Hunted out of their habitat, bats are shifting to human structures and adapting to man-made habitats, becoming more dangerous to humans and pets.

Like many small mammals, some species of bat also carry rabies. To that extent, bats are dangerous to humans and pets. However, the likelihood of being bitten by a bat infected with rabies is lesser than in comparison to other transmitted diseases. To get an idea of just how harmless bats can be, consider that of the 44 deaths by rabies in 55 years in the US, only one was from a common or house bat.

If a bat is found lying on the road or an external surface, chances are there that it may have rabies and you need to call animal rescue services to help the stricken creature. Do not try to move it or help it by yourself.

Whether encountering humans or animals, bats generally tend to avoid conflict and do not attack humans on purpose. If a bat does enter your house, simply open the windows and let it fly away.

If you notice that the population of bats in your area increases in number during the summer, there's a chance there is a bat colony nearby. Young bats become independent during this time of the year and fly away from the nest. Home sightings are generally due to bats looking to set up a dwelling or seeking to hibernate for the winter.

However, there are more unexpected ways in which bats are dangerous to humans and pets besides rabies and accidental encounters. Bat droppings, called "guano", contain a soil fungus called Histoplasma casulatum. This can cause a disease of the lungs called histoplasmosis when the guano spores are mixed with the air and inhaled by humans or pets.

With flu-type symptoms, histoplasmosis can be mistaken for TB because of common symptomatology. To confirm a case of histoplasmosis, blood and skin testing has to be carried out. Professionals should be the one to clean up and remove the guano, because they have the protective equipment needed to prevent exposure to the fungus.

Though the infection associated with bat guano is a real threat, as long as you can have it cleared off and ensure the bats leave your living space, there really is no need for bat repellents. Many bat species are protected animal, and you may require a federal permit to be able to protect yourself or your home using a repellent.

Essentially, bats are not dangerous as long as you manage to dislodge them and clean up the area they have occupied.

As we have seen, bats can cause rabies and histoplasmosis. Moreover, some diseases linked to bats have been found in specific parts of the globe. Research has indicated that certain hemorrhagic fevers associated with life-threatening diseases, affecting multiple organ systems in the human body, are related to bats.

The Marburg hemorrhagic fever has been found chiefly in Africa. This infectious and lethal disease kills most people it impacts. Fruit bats have been associated with the most dangerous diseases known to man such as the West African Ebola pandemic, known to be allied to the Marburg virus and belonging to a distinct group of viruses called filoviruses.

Other dangerous diseases associated with bats include Nipah virus in Southeast Asia and Africa and the Hendra virus, also linked to fruit bats or flying foxes. Both Nipah and Hendra cause respiratory and neurological diseases in human beings.

A family of viruses linked to respiratory diseases, coronavirus, have been found in multiple species of bats. Bats can also transmit SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

These infections are mostly found in specific locations - they are not carried by all bat species in all areas of the globe. The probability of being infected by a bat is low, but you should definitely be aware of the infections and viruses they can transmit and go to a doctor to have the bite checked out.

Most bats are not infected with rabies or other infectious diseases, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Here is what you can do to prevent bat bites:

• If you come across bats in human habitats, roosting or hibernating in caves, exercise caution.
• Avoid coming in contact with the bats or their droppings.
• Avoid entering places known to have a dense population of bats.
• Prevent bats from inhabiting or roosting in living spaces and other occupied areas: you can use mosquito netting to bat-proof your home or living area.
• Do not touch or handle bats.
• Materials that have been infected with bat droppings should be decontaminated or effectively disposed of.
• Cleaning up the area is also essential, but it should only be done by professionals wearing infection-proof gear. If you do come across bats in your living area, contact wildlife control or an animal conservation agency for assistance and guidance.

As you can see, bats are not dangerous to humans or pets as long as some safety measures are taken. As always, make sure that your pets are vaccinated against rabies and that their (and your) vaccination schedule is up to date.

If you want to read similar articles to Are Bats Dangerous to Humans or Pets?, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.