07-18-2016, 04:11 AM
I think bats are possibly unpopular because of the risk of Rabies from a bite. People have become a bit scared of Bats.
I know that is more common in the US (and Canada?) and also in Europe, than it is in the UK.
But even in the UK there is a slight risk from a Rabies-like infection, "European Bat Lyssavirus", or EBLV. This has only been found in one species, the Daubenton's. And not so far in the Pipistrelle. But a few people have died from infection.
There is more info. here:
http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/bats_and_disease_faqs.html
No I didn't wear tough gloves when handling him. I couldn't be gentle with him while wearing gardening gloves! Anyway he didn't bite me and didn't lick me, and I scrubbed my hands carefully each time I touched him.
I know that is more common in the US (and Canada?) and also in Europe, than it is in the UK.
But even in the UK there is a slight risk from a Rabies-like infection, "European Bat Lyssavirus", or EBLV. This has only been found in one species, the Daubenton's. And not so far in the Pipistrelle. But a few people have died from infection.
There is more info. here:
http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/bats_and_disease_faqs.html
No I didn't wear tough gloves when handling him. I couldn't be gentle with him while wearing gardening gloves! Anyway he didn't bite me and didn't lick me, and I scrubbed my hands carefully each time I touched him.
