What should you know about bats carry rabies?

Rabies is passed through infected saliva entering tissue, such as through a bite, scratch, broken skin, or the lining of the eye, mouth, or nose. The presence of a bat does not by itself establish exposure. The concern is contact, including contact that a person may not remember or may not be able to see.

A healthcare professional can decide whether preventive treatment is needed from the circumstances. Do not try to diagnose risk from the animal's size, activity, or apparent health.

Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and running water. Rinse an exposed eye or mouth with clean water, and avoid applying harsh chemicals or closing a wound tightly. Keep the bat away from people and animals, but leave capture or testing to trained services.

Arrange urgent medical advice and describe the contact clearly. The clinician may discuss [Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/rabies-post-exposure-prophylaxis/) and can explain whether [Rabies Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/rabies-vaccination/) has a role in your circumstances.

Get same-day advice after any bite, scratch, saliva contact, or uncertain contact with a bat, including a bat found in a room where someone was sleeping. Emergency care is appropriate for a deep wound, persistent bleeding, eye exposure, or symptoms such as confusion, trouble swallowing, or unusual weakness. Waiting for symptoms can remove the opportunity for timely prevention.

Tell the clinician the time and place of contact, the body area involved, whether skin was broken, and whether a person or pet may also have been exposed. Ask what treatment schedule is needed, how to care for the wound, and which authority should handle the bat.