Health
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The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) advises that rabies in bats is rare – affecting less than 1 percent of the state’s entire bat population – and as long as basic precautions are followed, the few afflicted bats are highly unlikely to pass the disease to humans.
“Although bats get a bad rap in folklore, humans are actually a bigger threat to them than they are to us,” said DFG Associate Wildlife Veterinarian Deana Clifford. “Bats provide great benefits to humans, including insect control and plant pollination, but people tend to overlook the important role they play in our ecosystem. By being ‘bat smart’ and not disturbing or touching bats, people can help ensure the survival of the species, which will ultimately be to our benefit as well.”
Statistically speaking, the risk of contracting rabies from a bat is far less than the risk of dying from a bicycle accident, lightning strike or dog attack.
To minimize the risk of contracting the disease, never pick up grounded bats as those animals are likely sick. People who have come into contact with a bat or have found a sick or dead bat should contact their local health department or animal control department.
Also be sure to keep your pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
Depending on the species and the time of year, bats can be found roosting in groups or individually in caves, mines, crevices, under bridges and in tree hollows. People are most likely to see bats at dusk, when they emerge from their roosts to seek water and their insect prey.
People may also encounter bats in buildings, where warm, quiet attic space is available for them to raise their young.
If a building owner can’t accommodate bats, the best solution for humans and bats alike is to humanely exclude them from their building roost after they’ve finished raising their young. That way, the bats can find other roosts in future years and continue to keep the insect population under control.
Installation of appropriately designed “bat boxes” can help give bats a place to roost that is away from your home.
All bats are protected species in California. Many species of bats worldwide are experiencing population declines, mainly due to human disturbance and loss of habitat.
A new threat to bats in North America is White Nose Syndrome (WNS), which has been reported among hibernating bats in several American states in the east and is spreading toward the West Coast.
WNS has killed more than one million bats in the affected region, and some bat species may be at risk of extinction due to this emerging deadly disease.
WNS does not pose a risk to human health, but can be carried on clothing and gear taken into affected caves and mines. DFG and other agencies are preparing for the potential spread of WNS into California, which may include precautions to reduce the risk of human-caused introduction or spread to unaffected bat hibernation sites.
If you want to learn more about what you can do to promote bat conservation, visit Bat Conservation International’s Web site at www.batcon.org.
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Breastfeeding is considered to be the “gold standard” for infant feeding for both mother and baby.
Breastfed babies are healthier for a lifetime. Breastfeeding mothers get more sleep and miss less work than mothers whose babies drink formula. Breastfeeding should be supported and promoted in every workplace and every child care facility.
In 2010, the U.S. Department of Labor amended the Fair Labor Act to include a provision to support breastfeeding. The act now requires that employers provide nursing mothers “reasonable break time” and an appropriate place to express breast milk for their nursing infants.
Supportive employers can educate their staff about state and federal breastfeeding laws. They can allow breastfeeding mothers to flex their schedules, coming to work earlier or staying later to make up for their longer breaks.
Employers can develop policies that allow babies to be brought to the work site to breastfeed during mother’s lunch break.
What does a “breastfeeding friendly” work site look like? There would definitely be a private place with a comfy chair and a table to make it relaxing for mothers to breastfeed their babies or pump during their work breaks. How about a place to store expressed milk. Is there a lobby or another place open to the public? If so, look for a notice proclaiming “Breastfeeding Welcome Here”
There are plenty of opportunities for childcare facilities to promote breastfeeding. Try hanging posters throughout your facility that show you support breastfeeding.
Be sure there is a “breastfeeding welcome here” sign on the front door or highly visible in the lobby.
Develop policies that support breastfeeding mothers and babies at your facility. Ask parents if there are any special directions for feeding breast milk to their baby.
Childcare facilities should encourage mothers to breastfeed on site when dropping off and picking up their children. As these mothers breastfeed, they give their babies immunities specific to germs that are present that very day at your facility.
Offer a variety of places for mothers to nurse. Some women prefer a private place to nurse. Other moms are comfortable nursing in public and should have the opportunity to do so. Remind mothers that they can stop in during the day to nurse their children.
California is a great place to live and to breastfeed. The state law in California supports every mother’s right to breastfeed in any public space including schools, bus stops, waiting areas, auditoriums, public transport, parks, pools, shopping malls, etc.
U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin acknowledges “Many barriers exist for mothers who want to breastfeed … They shouldn’t have to go it alone. Whether you’re a clinician, a family member, a friend, or an employer, you can play an important part in helping mothers who want to breastfeed.”
E Center WIC in Lake County has six lactation counselors available to answer questions about breastfeeding. Call E Center WIC for your free “breastfeeding welcome here” stickers at 707-263-5253.
For more information about creating a breastfeeding friendly work site, www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/programs/business-case/.
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