Current:Home > FinanceClimate change is moving vampire bat habitats and increasing rabies risk, study shows -Wealthify
Climate change is moving vampire bat habitats and increasing rabies risk, study shows
View
Date:2025-04-11 12:49:11
There is a new study about vampire bats that, while perfectly timed for Halloween season, is raising alarms for the food supply chain and public health.
The study, published Thursday in the journal Ecography, found that climate change is correlated with the range of vampire bat habitats and increase the risk of rabies spillover events.
"Ongoing climate change is linked to distributional shifts of [vampire bats] in tandem with continental-level changes in the risk of RABV spillover from wildlife to domestic animals," the study said.
The study mapped out the 20 northern most appearances of the vampire bat and created a model to project how long it may take for the vampire bat to make a home in the United States. The study said that the bat could, "extend its range into the continental USA in the next 27 years."
"The climatic variable that most influenced the range shift in [vampire bat] distribution was historical temperature seasonality...a variable closely linked with changes in climate," the study said.
Rabies could impact livestock as bat habitats spread
Currently rabies is a rare disease in humans within the United States with one to three cases occurring each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The disease's major impact is on livestock as rabies cost the Mexican livestock industry over $46.7 million per year, according to a 2020 USDA report.
U.S. officials have taken steps to prepare for the vampire bat's arrival. The USDA’s National Rabies Management Program released a report in September that said the program implemented surveillance for the disease in cattle in 2016 and has a campaign to educate farmers in both the U.S. and Mexico on the signs of vampire bat bites.
“This bat species causes a lot of concern in agriculture due to its ability to transmit diseases, injure livestock, and cause infections. Rabies is the most obvious issue because of livestock welfare and potential to infect humans,” Gary Joiner, a spokesperson for the Texas Farm Bureau, told Wired.
What are the symptoms of rabies?
The symptoms for rabies in humans and animals are often similar, according to the CDC. After an exposure, there is an incubation period, where the virus travels to the brain. The time of the incubation period may last weeks to months, and can vary depending on the location of the exposure site on the body, the type of rabies virus and any existing immunity.
At first, symptoms may present as similar to the flu, including weakness or discomfort, fever or headache. One may also feel discomfort, prickling or an itching sensation at the site of the bite. The CDC says these symptoms may last for days.
From there, symptoms may progress and become more severe, including:
- Cerebral disfunction
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Delirium
- Abnormal behavior
- Hallucinations
- Hydrophobia (fear of water)
- Insomnia
Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the CDC says the disease is nearly always fatal, with less than 20 cases of human survival from rabies documented.
The CDC says symptoms of rabies in animals are similar to humans, from the early symptoms to the neurologic symptoms and leading to death.
What to do if you suspect rabies in an animal
The CDC recommends a few different courses of action depending on the type of animal that has been exposed to rabies.
In dogs, cats and ferrets that are currently vaccinated should be revaccinated immediately and observed for 45 days. If they develop any sign of illness, the CDC says that animal should be evaluated by a veterinarian and reported to your local health department.
Should they show signs of rabies, they should be euthanized, and the CDC says the animal's head should be submitted to a diagnostic laboratory for testing.
If livestock has been exposed to rabies and are up to date on their rabies vaccination, they should be revaccinated immediately and observed for 45 days.
If you have other mammals that have been exposed to rabies, they should be euthanized immediately.
veryGood! (61156)
Related
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- An Honest Look at Jessica Alba and Cash Warren's Cutest Moments With Their Kids
- Grayson Murray's Cause of Death at 30 Confirmed by His Parents
- What information is on your credit report? Here's what I found when I read my own.
- Golf's No. 1 Nelly Korda looking to regain her form – and her spot on the Olympic podium
- First-place Seattle Mariners know what they're doing isn't sustainable in AL West race
- Grayson Murray's Cause of Death at 30 Confirmed by His Parents
- Man charged for setting New York City subway passenger on fire
- Kansas City Chiefs CEO's Daughter Ava Hunt Hospitalized After Falling Down a Mountain
- 2024 NCAA Division I baseball tournament: College World Series schedule, times, TV info
Ranking
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Connecticut Sun star Alyssa Thomas ejected for hard foul on Chicago Sky's Angel Reese
- Low percentage of Americans in military is deeply problematic as a democracy, Rep. Pat Ryan says
- AIPC: This Time, Generative AI Is Personal
- IOC's decision to separate speed climbing from other disciplines paying off
- One chest of gold, five deaths: The search for Forrest Fenn's treasure
- Bruce Springsteen and E Street postpone four European concerts amid 'vocal issues'
- Sophia Bush responds to Ashlyn Harris engagement rumors: 'The internet is being wild'
Recommendation
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Pato O'Ward frustrated after heartbreaking finish at 2024 Indy 500: So (expletive) close
Connecticut Sun star Alyssa Thomas ejected for hard foul on Chicago Sky's Angel Reese
Patrick Mahomes, 'Taylor Swift's boyfriend' Travis Kelce attend Mavericks-Timberwolves Game 3
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Rodeo star Spencer Wright's son opens eyes, lifts head days after river accident
Kyle Larson hopes 'it’s not the last opportunity I have to try the Double'
Ancient Ohio tribal site where golfers play is changing hands — but the price is up to a jury