Jim,
Maybe you would like to clarify some of the possible risk factors.
The reason I posted this article to the list, is because there is the need for
vigilance in light of the fact that viruses and bacteria mutate and adapt to
vaccines.
(A mutated form of TB (XDR-TB is now returning with no known cure.
The WHO (World Health Organization) reports 40,000 new cases annually.)
This particular strain of the rabies virus in Arizona, is common
to Brown Bats, but seems to be able to transfer between species, by casual
contact.
I was at Bracken Bat cave many times in the early 70's, and heard the
stories of rabies experiments , where several types of animals were kept in
cages,
in the cave. Even though it was not possible for the bats to bite, or scratch
the animals,
several reportedly, did contract rabies. The Center for Disease Control, says
it is possible
to contract rabies by saliva contact from an infected animal that gets into a
persons eyes, nose, or mouth. See: http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats.html
It has been talked about in caving circles that cavers do have a slight
immunity
to rabies due to our increased contact with bats, and their airborne saliva.
Not being a biologist, I have assumed these stories to be true. With new
strains of the rabies virus being discovered, maybe the old rules will not
apply.
Steve
____________________________________________________________
Save on Moving Supplies. Click Here!
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/BLSrjnsO5rrfRXKmFJmInNubOIrFLmFUCNknWQQKtBE9ER0xfCN50ILNuGM/
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected]
For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
