LOCAL/STATE -The Michigan Daily - Thursday, Septemer 16, 1999 -13A
Reports of infected bats increase in Michigan
KINGSLEY, Mich. (AP) - An unusually
high number of rabid bats has been found in
Michigan this year - cause for concern but
not alarm, officials say.
The 52 bats with rabies found in the state
this year arethe most of anyyear on record,
d Brian Youngs, medical director of the
Northwest Michigan Community Health
Agency in Petoskey.
The previous high this decade was 43 in
1995, Youngs told the Traverse City Record-
Eagle for a story Wednesday.
More than an upswing in infections, the
higher numbers may reflect an increase in
testing, he said.
"In the past, people would have opened the
window and shooed it out, and now we have
them sent in to be tested," Youngs said. His
*ency covers Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet
and Otsego counties.
52
bats with rabies found in Michigan
this year reaching an all-time record
Rabies is a contagious disease caused by a
virus. The disease can affect humans and cer-
tain mammals. Bats, skunks, foxes, coyotes,
raccoons, dogs, cats, ferrets and livestock can
carry the disease.
Rabies can be fatal for humans. Twenty
people in the United States have died this
decade after being infected by a bat. In 19 of
the cases, they didn't realize they had been
bitten.
The most recent report in Michigan came
in Harbor Springs, where a bat was discov-
ered inside a home. At least one resident is
getting rabies shots, the Record-Eagle report-
ed.
Also this month in Kingsley, members of a
family and their dog are getting shots after a
bat bit the dog.
Dozens of bats have been tested in the
region this summer, with most coming back
negative.
Youngs said fewer than 1 percent of bats in
the typical colony are believed to be infected.
Of those sent in for tests, 5- to 10- percent
usually are found to carry the illness, state
officials say.
The rate of infection tends to be higher
among those tested because those bats usual-
ly are found in homes and elsewhere close to
people, which is unusual behavior for them,
the neer reported.
A Gladwin County man was vaccinated last
month after three bats were found in his
home.
He took the bats to the Central Michigan
District Health Department, which found one
of them infected.
People should use caution when trapping
bats for testing, said Hoda Asmar, medical
director of the health department serving
Wexford, Kalkaska, Manistee, Crawford and
Missaukee counties.
"One man found one on his car and caught
it without gloves," Ms. Asmar said. "We don't
want people to go chasing them and catching
them.
"We only want to see them if they were
found in your house or were seen biting a
pet," she said. "If they're outdoors, leave
them alone."
Authorities recommend contacting the
county animal control officer to capture bats
in dwellings.
People who insist on trapping the animals
themselves should wear leather gloves and
put the bat in a box.
WORKOUT
Continued from Page 1A
"Now that I'm paying for this, I have
more motivation," he said. "And I like
the factathat Bally's is never that busy -
I can have the whole place to myself."
But not all students have abandoned
0 campus gyms. Kinesiology first-year
student Amanda Spyker said she often
works out at the CCRB.
:"It's nice having it close to the donn,'
said Spyker, a Hill residence hall resident.
"It has good equipment, but it's real busy."
Some students walk only a few blocks
from campus to work out. Rob Hess,
YMCA membership and community
relations director, said the YMCA has
be en attracting a lot of students recently.
"Lately, there's been a real influx of
dents," said Hess. "The machines are
well-kept and do not have as much use."
YMCA membership is $16 per month.
It is located at 350 South Fifth Ave.
Several gym managers said the early
fall months and shortly after New Year's
are peak times for gym activity.
"The students are usually the only
ones that stay with their New Year's res-
olutions" Hess said.
* -amade says Bally's also gets busier
uring January. "People want to get in
shape for spring break," he said.
LSA first-year student Ali Howard
said she hopes to continue working out
all year - but admits that it might be dif-
ficult. "Hopefully I'll do it all year, but
I'm not that committed," she said.
Hamade said Bally's has a student rate
of $30 to $40 a month. And a member-
ship at the Ann Arbor Bally's entitles the
mnber to workout at Bally's nation-
e. The club offers many ways to get
in shape, including an indoor swimming
pool and step and yoga classes.
On the other side of South State Street
is another gym frequented by University
students - the One on One Athletic
Club, located at 2875 Boardwalk Drive.
Flashcom = Internet Access
Up To 100 Times Faster
Let Flashcom save you time and money. Digital Subscriber Lines offer the
fastest, most secure high speed Internet access available today. DSL is an
"always on" service, no more annoying busy signals
or dropped calls. Largest nationwide coverage avail- F
"I have a Flashcom DSL connection and this is surely the future
for Internet connectiviy. Anyone anyplace that can get this
technology into their home or offce is foolish not to order it
today! It's fabulous!"
CALL NOW 1.877.UNIVDSL or Visit WWW.FLASHCOM.COM
[865.8375]
4
I
S
no