Bat bites hiker in New Jersey: alert for rabies risk!

Bat bites hiker in New Jersey: alert for rabies risk!

A frightening encounter between a hiker and a bat has sparked alarm in New Jersey. Erica Kahn, who was photographing the night sky on August 30, 2025, was bitten by a bat when it flew into the mouth. After the incident, she immediately sought medical attention and, in a panic, took out health insurance as she was unemployed and uninsured at the time. However, the insurance company refused to cover the cost of the life-saving rabies vaccination because there is a 30-day waiting period for new contracts, which led to a medical bill of over 20,000 US dollars (approx. 17,100 euros).

The situation raises questions, especially since authorities in New Jersey are already warning about rabid animals. Six cases of rabies have been identified in the region in various animals, including raccoons, foxes and skunks. Without immediate medical attention, rabies can be fatal in almost all cases. There are also expert warnings that indicate an increasing risk of becoming infected with the virus.

Growing danger from rabies

The situation is particularly worrying in Wyoming, where more than 200 tourists from 38 US states may have had contact with a bat colony carrying the rabies virus this summer. Health authorities have therefore launched a comprehensive educational campaign to warn the population about rabid animals. Recently, two people in North Carolina were bitten by a rabid fox and are receiving medical treatment.

Amid these worrying developments, prevention remains crucial. Authorities strongly advise people to avoid contact with wild animals and to seek immediate medical treatment in suspicious situations.

In parallel with these concerns about wildlife, technology continues to develop new tools to help people. For example, the 3D modeling app Figuro provides a user-friendly platform for students, hobbyists and makers who want to create, refine and use models for various applications such as game development and 3D printing. With an extensive collection of 3D tools, the app supports both beginners and advanced users while offering help videos and in-app tutorials to get you started.

Figuro has a library of 3D models that can be used for your own projects and recommends sites like SketchFab and TurboSquid for high-quality 3D models. Such platforms open up new opportunities for creative projects and provide learning resources that help users improve their 3D design skills.