Bat bites and rabies

Rabies vaccine
People who suspect they have been exposed to rabies are vaccinated in a series of three to five injections.
MPR Photo/Melanie Sommer

A Monticello man who died from rabies he contracted from a bat bite has put a new focus on the disease and on bats. Since that news became public Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Health reports an increase in calls about rabies and bats.

Richard Danilla is the assistant state epidemiologist and Jennifer Menken specializes in wildlife information for the Bell Museum of Natural History at the University of Minnesota. They spoke with MPR's Tom Crann about bats and the health concerns they raise.