CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - There’s a warning from the health department in Berrien County, in Southwest Michigan about bats and rabies.
This time of year, bats are searching for places to hibernate, and they can squeeze into very tight spaces and can get into homes and garages.
In just a two-week period this month, the county’s health department reported there have been 12 incidents in which people were bitten or scratched by bats.
At this point, it’s unclear if any were rabid. Tests are pending.
Sara Palmer, an epidemiologist with the county health department, says if someone who’s bitten waits for symptoms to get medical care, it’s too late.
She spoke with CBS- 3 Kalamazoo.
“You’ll see generalized symptoms like fever and weakness and achiness, you might have some weird sensations at the bite site and then it starts to progress to more symptoms like seizures and hallucinations,” Palmer said.
She stresses that anyone who’s bitten needs to seek medical care immediately. It could save their life.
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