Biological Hazard in USA on Friday, 11 July, 2014 at 03:11 (03:11 AM) UTC. Description Eagle County health officials reported finding two cases of rabid bats in the past week. In both instances, people and their pets had come into contact with the bats, the countys public health director said in a news release. They were found in Beaver Creek and Eagle. They were the first confirmed cases this year of animal rabies in the county. Everyone who possibly came in contact with the bats have been notified, the news release said. Bats consume thousands of tons of night-flying insects annually and are beneficial to a healthy ecosystem. However, Eagle County Public Health Director Jennifer Ludwig says bats may carry diseases that can spread to people and pets, so its important to avoid contact with them. While most bats do not carry rabies, grounded or easily handled bats or other wild animals are most likely sick or injured and should be avoided by untrained people. Rabies is caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. Rabies also can be transmitted by a scratch or if the animals saliva gets into a cut or break in the skin. Biohazard name: Rabies (bat) Biohazard level: 4/4 Hazardous Biohazard desc.: Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system, and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility of an accidental release. Symptoms: Status: confirmed
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 04:47:16 +0000
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