A bat collected in North Platte has tested positive for rabies, the West Central District Health Department announced on Monday.

This particular bat was found in an area where there was a possibility of contact with people or animals, so it was collected and submitted for testing. In this situation, there is no concern for human exposure, WCDHD Executive Director Meghan Trevino said.

While a positive rabies test is important to take seriously, the presence of rabies in bats is not unexpected, Trevino said. WCDHD is sharing this information to help residents understand what steps to take if they, a family member, or a pet may have had contact with a bat or another potentially rabid animal.

If you are bitten, scratched, or may have had contact with a bat:

• Wash any bite or scratch immediately with soap and water.
• Contact your healthcare provider and WCDHD as soon as possible so the exposure can be evaluated.
• If possible, safely contain the bat without touching it with bare hands. Do not release or dispose of it until you have spoken with WCDHD or animal control, as testing may be recommended.
• If a bat is found in a room with a sleeping person, unattended young child, or someone who may not be able to reliably say whether contact occurred, contact WCDHD for guidance even if there is no obvious bite or scratch.

Rabies affects the nervous system and is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected animal. Because bat bites can be very small and may not always be noticed, there are situations where an exposure may be possible even when someone does not remember being bitten.

“We want people to know what to do if they or their pets have an encounter with a bat,” Trevino said. “Bats are a normal part of our environment, and most of the time there is no cause for concern. The important thing is knowing what to do if you are bitten or scratched, if your pet has contact with a bat, or if you just aren’t sure what happened. Give us a call, and our team can help you figure out what steps you need to take.”

If your pet may have been exposed:

Avoid handling every wild animal with bare hands. Contact your veterinarian promptly to discuss your pet’s rabies vaccination status and recommended next steps. WCDHD can help answer questions about potential human exposure.

The best way to reduce the risk of rabies is to avoid handling bats and other wild animals, keep pets current on rabies vaccinations, and prevent bats from entering living spaces whenever possible.

Finding a bat in or around a home does not automatically mean someone has been exposed to rabies.

If you are unsure whether an exposure occurred, reach out to the West Central District Health Department at 308-696-1201 or visit wcdhd.org.

“It is always appropriate to ask questions,” Trevino said.

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