A woman from Massachusetts experienced a terrifying incident during her visit to Arizona to see her father.
Erika Kahn was in northern Arizona last August, continuing their yearly tradition of stargazing and taking photographs together. “We’ve been photographing the night sky for a decade, but this was the first time something like this happened,” Kahn shared.
While they were snapping pictures, a bat unexpectedly flew into her mouth. “I don’t know if it was its wings or head that went in,” she recounted.
During their photo session, Kahn mentioned they were careful with their camera straps, which may have contributed to the freak accident. “We had these straps around our heads, and just like that, the bat got caught between my mouth and the camera,” she explained.
According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, many bat species tend to congregate near farming and water sources. It’s a known fact that bats are a primary cause of rabies in humans.
Recognizing the risk, Kahn knew she needed to get checked for rabies quickly. She was taken aback, however, when she discovered her treatment would not be covered by her new health insurance plan, which she obtained after losing her job.
When calling her insurance for help, she was told that rabies treatment would be covered. “They reassured me that I could go to the emergency room for a rabies shot,” Kahn noted, though the reality turned out to be quite different.
Kahn was unaware that her new coverage came with a 30-day waiting period, which complicated matters further.
“Our healthcare system is so broken,” she expressed. “I’m glad I had the chance to speak on this issue,” emphasizing that the costs associated with a life-saving rabies vaccine shouldn’t be so prohibitive.
The CDC highlights that contact with infected bats is a leading cause of rabies deaths in humans, with a substantial percentage of cases attributed to bats.
