Characteristics of Rabies in Bats in Montana

Abstract

Twenty-one rabid bats of 8 species were found in western Montana in 7 years. No doubt these represent only a small fraction of the number actually present, but rabies in other animals is practically unknown in the area. Six of the infected bats were tested for ability to transmit virus by bite and 5 of them did so on one or more occasions. Virus was demonstrated by injection of oral swab specimens in every one of 7 trials. Many of the bats showed some evidence of infection such as confusion, incoordination, or aggressive- ness, and opportunities for contact with animals and man were common. Virus was not limited in distribution to the central nervous system and salivary glands, but was also found in brown fat and in several other tissues. However, in no case was virus absent from the central nervous system when present elsewhere. Rabies virus isolates from bats possessed no demonstrable characteristics which would distinguish them from other street viruses. No evidence was obtained to indicate recovery from rabies or the occurrence of a carrier state.