(WHAS11) - A rare case of rabies is drawing a lot of attention in Clark County, Indiana.
Its believed bat is the cause of an infection that ended up killing a southern Indiana resident.
Because of how far we’ve come in medicine, you seldom, if ever, hear about someone dying from rabies. Even worldwide, the number of people who die from rabies is low.
It’s believed the victim somehow came in contact with a bat in the first rabies case in Indiana since 2006 and the second overall since 1959.
We don’t know if the victim is a man or woman.
“I've been here 26 years and I haven't heard of any confirmed cases,” said Mac Spainhour, a conservation officer with Indiana Conservation.
Utterly shocked is how Indiana State Conservation Officer Mac Spainhour says he reacted when he heard a southern Indiana resident had died of rabies, a rabies infection caused by a bat.
“I know there's a lot we do to prevent it, but I’ve never heard of anybody contracting the rabies disease.”
State health officials in Indiana have released few details of the rabies death.
They say the victim is from Clark County but where did the person contract the disease?
That question hasn't been answered yet.
It could have been anywhere, in the woods, a dead tree, somewhere dark, or possibly a cave.
These are well-known places for bats but experts say a bat can show up almost anywhere.
“Buildings, old buildings can have bats. They can take up residency,” said Spainhour.
Regardless of where, Spainhour says the fact that someone has died from rabies is outright puzzling.
“I've had several raccoons tested over the years and it did bite people and it came back negative,” he said.
Indiana Conservation says this rare rabies case should remind people to be on the lookout for any strange behavior in animals that could carry rabies.
“The one thing you want to stress with any animal, bat, fox, cocoon, if it’s lurking out in the daytime when it shouldn't be and hanging on the wall if it's a bat or running around your yard if it's a raccoon, you know those are the ones you want to stay away from.
First, they recommend that you bat-proof your house. Bats can enter through a hole as small as one-quarter inch.
Second, don’t handle bats, instead call a professional.
Third, if you’re bitten, don’t wait, get medical attention right away.
