Knowledge of bat rabies and human exposure among United States cavers.
We surveyed cavers who attended the National Speleological Society convention in June 2000. Fifteen percent of respondents did not consider a bat bite a risk for acquiring rabies; only 20% had received preexposure prophylaxis against the disease. An under-appreciation of the risk for rabies from bat bites may explain the preponderance of human rabies viruses caused by variant strains associated with bats in the United States.
Gibbons
Robert V
RV
Rabies Section, Viral and Ricksettial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Holman
Robert C
RC
Mosberg
Stephen R
SR
Rupprecht
Charles E
CE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D015982:Bias; D001733:Bites and Stings; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000821:virology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011998:Recreation; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
D011819:Rabies Vaccines