title: Knowledge of bat rabies and human exposure among United States cavers.
abstract: 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.
authors: Rabies Section, Viral and Ricksettial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
authors: Robert V
authors: RV
authors: Gibbons
authors: Robert C
authors: RC
authors: Holman
authors: Stephen R
authors: SR
authors: Mosberg
authors: Charles E
authors: CE
authors: Rupprecht
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D011819:Rabies Vaccines