ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Bats, Animal Bites, and Rabies

Helping Address Potential Disease

HDNW, continuously tracks vector-borne diseases that can threaten individuals or the health of our communities. Along with communicable disease staff, we identify and test animals for diseases that can be spread from animals to humans. We respond to your reports of animal contacts, including potential rabies exposures from bats, dogs, racoons, etc., Lyme disease through contact with ticks, and other potential diseases such as West Nile, EEE, Avian Botulism and others.

Additional Resources

Bats Exposures and Rabies

I have a bat in my house, what should I do?

Safely isolate/capture the bat if you believe there was an exposure and contact us at 800-432-4121. DO NOT bring the bat to the Health Department unless instructed to do so.

Bats are an important part of our ecosystem, while most bats are healthy, some can carry rabies.
Rabies is only a concern when a person may have been exposed to a bat.

Defining an Exposure

Bat bites and scratches can be small and difficult to detect, and an exposure may have occurred if a bat is found:

  • In a room with a sleeping person
  • Near an unsupervised child
  • With a person who is mentally impaired or intoxicated
  • In direct contact with a pet or person

If any of these situations occur, do not release the bat. Keeping the bat for testing may prevent unnecessary rabies treatment. Although rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, it is entirely preventable with prompt medical care after an exposure.

No Exposure – Bat was Present: Rabies testing is not needed. The bat can be safely removed, and steps should be taken to prevent bats from entering your home or building.

How to Safely Capture a Bat

If you believe a bat may have exposed a person or pet, safely capture it by following these tips:

  • Put on thick leather gloves or work gloves
  • Wait for the bat to land
  • Place a plastic container or coffee can over the bat
  • Slide a piece of cardboard or stiff paper underneath
  • Secure/tape the cardboard to the container
  • Avoid touching the bat with bare hands
The advice to capture the bat only applies if you believe there has been an exposure. (See Defining an Exposure above)

Bringing a Bat in for Testing

Bats submitted for rabies testing must be humanely euthanized before being brought into a HDNW clinic location. To ensure accurate testing the bat’s head must remain intact and undamaged, keep the bat refrigerated until it can be dropped off, never freeze it. Bring the euthanized bat to any HDNW clinic location as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have a tick on me, what should I do?

Visit www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/home/lyme-disease for more information about removal and disposal.

I've been bitten by a dog or wild animal, what should I do?

Wash the bite with soap and water and dress the wound with antibiotic ointment and bandage. If serious, seek medical attention. Quarantine the animal, if possible, and contact Animal Control or contact us at 800-432-4121.