Zoonotic Disease Program
Bats and Rabies
Bats are interesting mammals, which have intrigued humans for many years. They are beneficial as they eat large numbers of flying insects, but bats are also a source of rabies. Most of the human rabies cases acquired within the U.S. during the past 20 years were due to bat-strains of rabies. Since a bat bite is very small and may go undetected, the history of any potential bat contact should be carefully evaluated to determine the potential for exposure. If exposure occurred, the bat should be safely captured and submitted for testing. If you want information on potential exposure criteria, safely capturing a bat for testing, or general information, please review the information sources below.
Last Updated: 07/14/2011
Rabies Program / Links
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