The Ottawa County Department of Health announced a bat recently submitted for testing has shown positive for rabies, the first case in the county this year.
There were no reported cases of rabies in animals or humans in 2023, but as of this week, there have been 18 reported cases in animals in Michigan this year.
Health officials say the risk of exposure to a rabid bat is higher from May to September when bats are more active and encourage residents to take steps to protect their families and animals.
They recommend avoiding contact with bats and wild animals; don’t try to rehabilitate injured wild animals or keep them as pets.
Protect pets with rabies vaccinations, and if they do get bitten or scratched by a wild animal, contact the veterinarian immediately to prevent infection.
If you are bitten or scratched, seek immediate medical attention as rabies is a fatal but preventable disease.
If you find a bat in your home, don’t release or dispose of it. Confine or collect it if possible and contact the county health department for possible testing.
More information on how to collect a bat safely can be found here or in this YouTube video.
