Bat in Highland County tests positive for rabies

The Highland County Health Department was notified on July 30 that a bat collected in the county has tested positive for rabies. There is no known exposure to a human or pet at this time.

Rabies is rare in people in the United States, but it is almost always fatal once symptoms start. Getting medical care quickly after contact with a bat can prevent illness.

Rabies is seen most often in bats, skunks, raccoons, and other wild animals. Dogs, cats, and people can also become infected. The virus lives in the saliva of an infected animal and spreads through a bite, or by getting an infected animal's saliva into an open cut, the eyes, nose, or mouth. Residents should avoid direct contact with bats or any other wild animals.

The Highland County Health District recommends the following:

Never touch a bat or other wild animal with your bare hands.

Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you are bitten, scratched, or have direct contact with a bat.

Teach children to stay away from bats and other wildlife, and to tell an adult if they touch one.

Make sure dogs, cats, and ferrets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.

If you find a bat in a room with a sleeping person, an unattended child, or someone who could not reliably tell you if they were bitten, contact the Highland County Health Department and a healthcare provider.

Safely capture the bat for testing if possible, and only if it can be done without risking exposure.

The Highland County Health Department encourages residents to continue reporting potential rabies exposures and submitting animals for testing when appropriate. 

With questions about rabies exposure, bat encounters, or rabies prevention, please contact the health department at (937) 393-1941 or info@highlandcountyhealth.org.