My uncle is in hospital having a vascular operation. The guy in the next bed has had both legs amputated (poor guy). In conversation with my uncle it transpires that he was bitten by a bat on the Innocent Railway cycle path going through the old tunnel! This can't be true, can it?
Edinburgh Innocent Railway
- Thread starter Cedric
- Start date
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Will1985
Über Member
- Location
- South Norfolk
Rabies?
Arch
Married to Night Train
- Location
- Salford, UK
Hang on, are you saying that the amputation is the result of the bat bite, or is that incidental and he was just recalling an anecdote?
Having just looked rabies up on the NHS site, I can't see how that could lead to a requirement for amputation - if treated quickly, vaccination is the solution, if not, well, you're just scuppered and that's it.
I suppose if a bat bit you in the leg and it got infected and gangrenous, amputation might end up being necessary, but both legs?
If your uncle is having something vascular done, I suspect the guy in the next bed might also be in for something vascular, and problems with circulation are probably the reason for the amputation....
Having just looked rabies up on the NHS site, I can't see how that could lead to a requirement for amputation - if treated quickly, vaccination is the solution, if not, well, you're just scuppered and that's it.
I suppose if a bat bit you in the leg and it got infected and gangrenous, amputation might end up being necessary, but both legs?
If your uncle is having something vascular done, I suspect the guy in the next bed might also be in for something vascular, and problems with circulation are probably the reason for the amputation....
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Perhaps restricted circulation to the brain has made him go 'batty', hence the strange story...Arch said:
Arch
Married to Night Train
- Location
- Salford, UK
From the NHS:
"There are two strains of rabies-like viruses found in bats across Northern Europe, these are known as European Bat Lyssaviruses (EBLVs) 1 and 2, and are commonly referred to as bat rabies.
It's rare for the viruses to infect other animals and the risk of infection to humans is thought to be low. There have been seven recorded cases of EBLV in bats in the UK, and in 2002 an unvaccinated bat handler in Scotland died from the infection."
But as I said, it's not clear from the OP that the bat bite had anything to do with the guy being in hospital. I'm slightly sceptical about a bat biting a human unless it was being handled. Bats are smart enough to distinguish the difference between a human and a moth supper, even in the dark. There's no reason for a bat to attack a human unles it's being disturbed/handled/cornered. They might, just about, accidentally fly into you, but I suspect they'd be anxious to just get away.
"There are two strains of rabies-like viruses found in bats across Northern Europe, these are known as European Bat Lyssaviruses (EBLVs) 1 and 2, and are commonly referred to as bat rabies.
It's rare for the viruses to infect other animals and the risk of infection to humans is thought to be low. There have been seven recorded cases of EBLV in bats in the UK, and in 2002 an unvaccinated bat handler in Scotland died from the infection."
But as I said, it's not clear from the OP that the bat bite had anything to do with the guy being in hospital. I'm slightly sceptical about a bat biting a human unless it was being handled. Bats are smart enough to distinguish the difference between a human and a moth supper, even in the dark. There's no reason for a bat to attack a human unles it's being disturbed/handled/cornered. They might, just about, accidentally fly into you, but I suspect they'd be anxious to just get away.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Sure he wasn't a Vampire ?
der alt
New Member
- Location
- Auld Reekie
Never heard of bats in the tunnel it's too damp for them .As Arch says a bat won't attack a human ,Having been through the tunnel at most times of the day and night i can confirm that they don't inhabit it ,more than likely it's been on the path down to Duddingston road west but a bat bite wouldn't be the cause of an amputation ,as stated poor circulation would account for that ,think the guy's pulling yer leg so to speak .
I've a friend who is a Registered Bat Roost Visitor, who quite frequently "fosters" bats so we get them visiting quite a lot. Funny little critters, there is something fundamentally scary about them, IMO. They just look, well, they look wrong. Generally friendly, though, they are unlikely to bite but they may do so if they are being handled. If he was bitten, then, he shouldn't have been playing with one as they are protected.
I don't think that the traditional "rabies" (the sort that dogs get) has ever been found in bats in the UK, and as it wasn't mentioned in the OP, I think that's an irrelevant distraction.
EBLV, as Arch posted, is pretty similar, though still very rare in the UK. I think only something like 9 cases have ever been found in the UK bat population and there have only ever been 4 cases of EBLV in humans across Europe. As every one of them has been fatal, you can probably discount that one from your uncle's neighbour's list as well.
There's plenty of diseases which can screw up the circulation, it's possible that he picked up one of them from a bat bite but the idea has to be not to go anywhere near a bat if you find one.
As an aside, my Batty mate has all sorts of detectors which can turn the noise which bats make into sounds audible by humans. It is fascinating listening to them zero in on their next snack.
I don't think that the traditional "rabies" (the sort that dogs get) has ever been found in bats in the UK, and as it wasn't mentioned in the OP, I think that's an irrelevant distraction.
EBLV, as Arch posted, is pretty similar, though still very rare in the UK. I think only something like 9 cases have ever been found in the UK bat population and there have only ever been 4 cases of EBLV in humans across Europe. As every one of them has been fatal, you can probably discount that one from your uncle's neighbour's list as well.
There's plenty of diseases which can screw up the circulation, it's possible that he picked up one of them from a bat bite but the idea has to be not to go anywhere near a bat if you find one.
As an aside, my Batty mate has all sorts of detectors which can turn the noise which bats make into sounds audible by humans. It is fascinating listening to them zero in on their next snack.
HJ
Cycling in Scotland
- Location
- Auld Reekie
There are bat colonies around Duddingston and Newington, I have seen bats from the kitchen window, but I have not heard of any in the Innocent Railway tunnel. The story does sound a bit odd.
Arch
Married to Night Train
- Location
- Salford, UK
So, basically, we reckon the guy telling the story hasn't got a leg to stand on....?
Sorry....
I like bats, sometimes I see them swooping over the Minster Dean's Garden if I'm walking across at dusk. I love the way they flitter.
Sorry....
I like bats, sometimes I see them swooping over the Minster Dean's Garden if I'm walking across at dusk. I love the way they flitter.
cycling fisherman
Senior Member
- Location
- Middlesbrough
Arch said:
Yes and lets hope he dosent read this thread he might go for a drink and get legless
IGMC
Rhythm Thief
Legendary Member
- Location
- Ross on Wye
Norm said:
Those are brilliant. Ms RT's got one and it's fascinating to use on a summer evening at dusk.
We wnt to a party at the Herefordshire bat recorder's house the other week and she had three baby long eared bats in her spare room. I think they're great.
