St. Clair County Health Department reports rabies positive bat
A rabies positive bat has been detected in St. Clair County.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services notified the St. Clair County Health Department about the bat. This is the second rabies positive bat found in Michigan in 2024.
On average, about 40 bats test positive across the state each year. Less than 2% of bats tested are positive. The St. Clair County Health Department said through a press release that rabies is a fatal, yet preventable viral disease. It can be spread to people and pets through bites and scratches from an infected animal.
In the United States, rabies is mostly found in wild animals such as bats, racoons, skunks and foxes. In Michigan, bats are the most common carriers of rabies.
People and domestic animals should avoid contact with bats. Rabies can spread to people from bats after minor or unrecognized bites or scratches. Any direct contact with a bat should be considered as a possible rabies exposure.
If someone has been bitten by, exposed to or comes in contact with a bat or other animal, they should call the St. Clair County Health Department at (810) 987-5300, option 7 as soon as possible. State law requires all animal bites be reported to the local health department or animal control offices.
"If someone may have been exposed to a bat, do not let that bat go," said Bailee Danneels, communicable disease nurse coordinator. "Safely capture the bat for rabies testing and immediately contact St. Clair County Animal Control."
Information on how to safely collect a bat can be found on www.cdc.gov/rabies/animals/bats.
The St. Clair County Health Department and St. Clair County Animal Control encourage residents to protect their pets by ensuring their rabies vaccinations are up to date.
In the springtime, it is not uncommon to see wildlife during the day and evening. If a pet may have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, the owner should contact a veterinarian for instructions.
Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: First rabies positive bat of 2024 reported in St. Clair County
