BATS

Every Fall we have students who encounter bats in their living quarters. According to area county health officials, the number of bat encounters in Western Michigan is even greater this year. The current 2008 recommendations for Human Rabies Prevention describes a "bat exposure" as either (1) direct contact with bat, or (2) finding a bat in the same room as a person who might be unaware that a bite has occurred (roommate who's sleeping and awakens to find a bat, one who is mentally disabled or intoxicated). The following are guidelines we expect all students to follow to ensure health and safety in the event of a bat encounter:

IF a bat is found in living area and you are sure no human exposure has occurred:
If you can confine the bat to a room by closing all doors and windows leading out of the room AND open a window to the outside, the bat will probably leave soon.
If the bat will not leave – contact public safety for safe removal.

IF you awaken and find a bat in your room :
Contact public safety for capture of the bat.
Your risk of possible exposure will need to be assessed. Hope students are advised to go to the Holland Hospital Emergency Room within 24 hours for this evaluation. Remember to take your major medical insurance information with you. Treatment, if indicated, can only be administered through the ER.

IF you are bitten by a bat:
Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
You must report to Holland Hospital Emergency Room immediately!
Contact public safety for capture of the bat.

We do not expect students to put themselves at risk of a bat bite by trying to capture it!

Public safety officers have been instructed to take captured bats to Ottawa County Health Department for testing.

For more information: http://www.michigan.gov/rabies

Remember…..

Bats are our Friends – We just don’t need them as Roommates!