Do not handle bats, exclude them from your home, and get prompt medical care if bitten

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Burnestine Taylor, M.D., (334) 206-5325
Dee W. Jones, D.V.M., (334) 206-5969

In Alabama and nationwide, there have been recent increases in human exposure to rabid or potentially rabid animals. In Baldwin County, several people have been treated at local emergency rooms for bat bites. The patients were bitten at different residences in the county. None of the bats were submitted for rabies testing, and the patients are undergoing post-exposure treatment. Any person who has been bitten by a bat requires post-exposure treatment, unless the bat tests negative for rabies.

Rabies is a viral infection in mammals that is transmitted by bites, scratches or other contact with infected saliva. Rabies virus is present only in saliva and nervous tissue; it is not transmitted through contact with guano (bat feces), blood or urine from infected animals.

Rabies is fatal if left untreated, but it is preventable if proper treatment is received promptly after a bite or scratch. Anyone exposed to a bat should consult a medical provider immediately.

Dr. Dee W. Jones, State Public Health Veterinarian, said, "Recognizing a potential exposure and responding appropriately remain critical to preventing this fatal disease. Bats require particular caution when found inside homes, college dormitories, nursing homes, or other living quarters. People who were sleeping or cannot reliably determine whether contact occurred may need evaluation for possible rabies exposure.

"When bats are found in living quarters, a single bat can potentially result in multiple people needing to be evaluated," Jones said. "Whenever possible, the bat should be safely captured and secured rather than released outside."

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) cautions the public to never handle bats or other wildlife with bare hands. Avoid contact with wildlife, especially animals behaving abnormally, and teach children to immediately report any bite, scratch, or other contact with a wild or unfamiliar animal.

If you see a bat in your home and are sure no human or pet exposure has occurred, confine the bat to a room by closing all doors and windows leading out of the room except those that open to the outside. The bat will likely leave soon.

After a potential bat exposure, seek emergency care at once; do not wait for symptoms to develop. Healthcare providers will evaluate risk to determine whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) needs to be administered.

For more information and advice, visit Rabies on the ADPH website. In September, a health alert network message was sent to providers emphasizing the need for thorough rabies risk assessments and strict adherence to evidence-based guidelines for PEP administration.

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10/22/26

County health departments throughout Alabama provide a wide range of confidential and professional services. Contact your local county health department for additional information.

Mission: To promote, protect, and improve Alabama's health

Vision: Healthy People. Healthy Communities. Healthy Alabama.