WEBSTER GROVES, Mo. – A bat recently discovered in a Webster Groves home has tested positive for rabies.
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health reports the bat was collected from the home on April 3. It’s also the first bat to test positive for rabies in St. Louis County this year.
The department did not report any bat bites at the home.
However, following this discovery, public health officials are warning residents to take caution if they notice a bat in their home or an unusual spot.
“While the risk to the public remains low, a bat testing positive for rabies is an important
reminder of the need to avoid contact with wild animals and to ensure that pets are up to date
on their rabies vaccinations,” said Dr. Kanika Cunningham, Director of Saint Louis County
Department of Public Health, via a news release.
The CDC says rabies is a potentially fatal disease when contracted by humans.
Public health officials say most healthy bats are not infected with rabies, only around 1-3%, though the prevalence of it is higher in bats acting abnormally, such as flying during the daytime, flying erratically or flopping on the ground.
Following this latest discovery, St. Louis County health officials remind people to avoid direct contact with or handling all wildlife, in addition to any animal that is behaving strangely. Officials also encourage people to make sure their pets are properly vaccinated against rabies.