True or False: Each bat bite or contact is considered a potential exposure to rabies.

The assertion that each bat bite or contact is considered a potential exposure to rabies is true. Bats are known carriers of the rabies virus, which can be transmitted to humans through bites or scratches from an infected bat. Because rabies is a severe and often fatal disease, any direct interaction with bats that could break the skin, such as a bite, is taken seriously by health authorities.

Health guidelines emphasize that even minor contact should be considered potentially hazardous, as rabies can be asymptomatic in animals for some time, making it difficult to determine if the animal is infected at the moment of contact. Therefore, it is crucial to treat any bat bite or contact as a potential risk factor, prompting prompt medical evaluation and, if necessary, post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent the onset of rabies. This precaution helps ensure public health and safety regarding potential rabies exposures.