Bat Rabies in the News

Salt Lake City, Utah.  The county's animal control department collected the bat on Sept. 27, after "people assumed to be experiencing homelessness informed the animal services officer that members of the unsheltered community had handled the bat, potentially for an extended period," a health department press release said.

The Minnesota Department of Health says the person who died was 65 years old. They were exposed to a bat in western Minnesota in July, and the rabies diagnosis was confirmed in September.

Officials say the case is an important reminder that bats in Minnesota can have rabies. …. In the United States, less than five people die every year due to rabies on average. Roughly 70% of deaths are tied to bat exposures.

A bat in Charleston, South Carolina (USA) tested positive for rabies, which led to four people being exposed. A cat was also exposed.

Officials asked residents to take preventive measures and report any contact with bats.

"...there has been an unusually high number of rabid animals so far this year in Minnesota, including 14 bats, 12 skunks, six cattle and one cat."

"The Woodford County Health Department said a bat has tested positive for rabies after biting a child in the Oak Street area of Midway in Woodford County. .... It is also important to know the last time your pets had rabies shots. "

The Alabama Department of Public Health is urging the public not to handle bats, one of the primary causes of rabies in the state.