What to Do If You Are Bitten by a Bat
The Importance of Capturing the Bat for Testing
At Frontline Animal Removal, we often get calls from concerned residents in Canton, Akron, Kent, and the surrounding areas of Stark, Summit, and Portage Counties about bats in their homes.
While bats are generally harmless and play an important role in controlling insect populations, encountering one in your living space can be alarming—especially if a bite is involved.
A bat bite is a serious situation due to the potential risk of rabies, a rare but deadly virus.
In this blog post, we discuss what to do if bitten by a bat and why capturing the bat is crucial. We also include some great links for the best information available.
Understanding the Risk of Rabies from Bats
First and foremost, it’s essential to understand the risk associated with a bat bite. Bats are one of the primary carriers of rabies in North America, although it is important to note that the actual risk of getting rabies from a bat is relatively low.
For all things related to rabies and animal bites in Ohio please visit this important page at the Ohio Health Department. Here you can see professional information, recommendations, guidelines, etc. (Don’t just take the information from us in this post)
Data show that only a small percentage of bats carry the rabies virus. In Ohio from 2018 through 2022, only 5% of tested bats were positive for rabies.
However, the consequences of rabies are severe; once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. This is why it’s critical to take every potential exposure seriously.
If you or someone you know is bitten by a bat, the primary concern is whether the bat is rabid. The way to determine this is to capture the bat and get it tested.
If you cannot determine this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ohio Health Department recommend undergoing post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment. PEP involves a series of rabies vaccinations that are both expensive and involve multiple injections over a few weeks.
Why Capturing the Bat Is Crucial
The key to avoiding unnecessary rabies treatment lies in determining whether the bat that bit you is rabid. If the bat is captured and tested and the test comes back negative for rabies, there is no need for rabies treatment.
Unfortunately, many people overlook this step, either because they are unaware of its importance or because they are too panicked after being bitten.
Recently, Ryan from Frontline Animal Removal discussed two jobs we attended where individuals were bitten by bats.
In both instances, the bats were not captured. Because the bats could not be tested for rabies, both individuals had to undergo the full course of rabies treatment as a precaution. This is not only costly but also stressful and physically demanding. These situations highlight how capturing the bat could have made a significant difference.
Steps to Take If Bitten by a Bat
Here’s what you should do if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being bitten by a bat:
- Stay Calm and Protect Yourself: Immediately move away from the bat to prevent further bites or scratches. If you can, close the room’s doors and windows to keep the bat contained.
- Wash the Wound: Use soap and water to clean the bite or scratch thoroughly. This step is crucial in reducing the risk of infection.
- Capture the Bat Safely: If the bat is still present, try to capture it without direct contact. Use a container or a thick towel, and wear gloves to avoid further bites. Place the bat in a sealed container to ensure it cannot escape. A professional wildlife remover like Frontline Animal Removal can help.
- Contact Local Authorities: Once the bat is safely contained, contact your local health department.
Your County’s local health department is the best asset after you are bitten by a bat. Contact them and follow their advice. You don’t need to rush to an emergency department. The timeline for appropriate treatment is days, not minutes.
Summit County Health Department
Stark County Health Department
Portage County Health Department
The Cost of Not Capturing the Bat
As illustrated by the recent cases Ryan discussed, failing to capture the bat can lead to unnecessary rabies treatments.
These treatments can from hundreds to thousands of dollars and require multiple visits to a healthcare provider.
More importantly, the stress and anxiety associated with a potential rabies exposure are significant. Capturing the bat not only saves you money and time but also provides peace of mind.
An article on the website Vox discusses some background on the murky costs of rabies treatments.
And this highly publicized story from 2023 shows the absurdity of what can happen.
Partner in Bat Removal | Akron, Canton, Kent | Stark, Summit, Portage
In conclusion, if you are ever bitten by a bat, remember the importance of capturing the bat for testing.
While the chances of a bat being rabid are low, the consequences of not knowing are severe enough that it is better to be safe than sorry.
By capturing the bat, you have the opportunity to avoid the expensive and involved process of rabies treatment if the bat tests negative.
At Frontline Animal Removal, we are here to assist you with safe bat capture and removal. If you need help or have any questions about bats or other nuisance wildlife in your home, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Stay safe and remember: if bitten by a bat, capture it for testing! This small step can make a big difference in avoiding unnecessary rabies treatment.
