10/01/2024
Bats are the leading cause of rabies deaths in people in the United States.
What should I do if I encounter a bat?
If you come into contact with a bat, you might need medical care. What you should do around bats depends on where you encounter them and what type of contact you have. Infants, young children, and people with reduced mental function due to medication, alcohol, illness, or age are at higher risk since they may not know or be able to tell others if they were bitten or scratched.
If you know you’ve been bitten or scratched by a bat — or if infectious material (such as saliva or brain material) from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound — wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately. Whenever possible, the bat should be captured and sent to a laboratory for rabies testing.
If you are outdoors:
Seeing bats outside is common and normal, especially at dusk and through the night. Avoid intentional contact with bats outside. Use screens, tents, or mosquito netting when sleeping outside.
If you are outside and have direct contact with a bat, you should talk to a healthcare or public health professional to decide if you need to be vaccinated to prevent rabies. If you’re not sure if contact occurred but find a bat on or near you (for example, if you wake up with a bat near or on you), then you may need vaccination.
If you are in your home: If you find a bat in your house, talk to a healthcare or public health professional and have the bat captured for possible rabies testing. Call animal control, wildlife conservation, or a public health agency for assistance. If professional assistance is not available, safely capture the bat in case testing is needed. Testing the bat may help you and your doctor decide if you need rabies vaccination.
Source: Bat Conservation International, Inc.