[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsrabies/

“In the U.S., rabies represents a serious threat to the health of people and animals. Every year, it is estimated that 40,000 persons receive a rabies prevention treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) due to a potential exposure to rabies.”

> 53 cases confirmed as a result of bat rabies.
> 51 deaths confirmed as a result of bat rabies in the past
> 56 years (since 1951).

This number is so low because if there is a suspicion that you have been exposed, you are given PEP. If you are unaware that you have been exposed, and you contract rabies, you are almost certainly going to die.

So the question becomes, if whatever percentage of those people who were exposed to rabid bats and given PEP, were not given PEP, how many would have died of rabies?

There is no way of knowing, of course. But it is likely a lot larger a number.

[Delta 21]

From the page you linked it says that humans are more likely to be exposed to rabies by a domesticated dogs or (3 times more likely) a cat. And it even lists the fox above the bat in exposure risk, although a graph on the same link contradicts this. If you live in anywhere in Appalachia I discourage you from looking at the raccoon rabies map!

Where are the horror stories about lil' fluffy giving junior the rabies?

Im not saying that there is no risk. But to scare people with hype is irresponsible at best.

Bats are wild animals. But they are not aggressive disease ridden killers that some make them out to be.