Hello,
I have a question regarding a recent trip made to the Dominican Republic. I was on a tour through an established tour company along with about 10-12 other people through the countryside and we made a stop in a cave, which according to the company, was approved by the ministry of tourism. The cave was fairly small, with fewer than a dozen rooms, but it had an active population of bats which I've read are insectivorous according to the tour company. My fear is that I may have been exposed to rabies without being aware of such an exposure (i.e. not feeling a bat brushing against me and creating micro abrasions). I was not intoxicated or otherwise impaired during the visit to the cave, and was not aware of any bats having physical contact with my body. The closest distance I was from a bat was approximately 6 feet, but I believe I saw a small object fall to the right side of my body when a bat was above me. I do not recall touching my eyes, ears or mouth until washing my hands with alcohol after exiting the cave. Also, there was a large opening in the ceiling in a portion of the cave, so I don't believe aerosol exposure would be a possibility, but I could be mistaken. My question is will there be any chance that I should receive post-exposure treatment for rabies considering I did not have pre-exposure treatment.
posted on
Thu, 25 Dec 2014