PPHD urges rabies precautions as bats seek shelter

The release notes that since July 2026, multiple United States jurisdictions have reported local increases in human rabies exposures involving both known rabies vectors and animals in which rabies is less commonly reported. PPHD states that bats are one of the most common wildlife species associated with rabies in the United States and that any contact with a bat should be taken seriously because bat bites or scratches may be small and difficult to see.

Guidance for bat encounters

PPHD advises residents not to touch bats with bare hands and to keep people and pets away from any bat found indoors. If there has been no contact with a person or pet, residents are instructed to close doors to other rooms, open a window or exterior door, and allow the bat to leave without handling it. If a bat may have had contact with a person or pet, the release directs residents not to release the bat and instead contact PPHD, animal control, or another appropriate local authority for guidance on safely containing and testing the animal.

The health district recommends that anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a bat, or who may have had direct contact, seek medical advice. If a bat is found in a room with someone who was sleeping, an unattended child, or a person who may not be able to reliably say whether contact occurred, Nebraska rabies guidance identifies these as situations that warrant evaluation by public health or a healthcare provider.

In the event of a bite or scratch, PPHD instructs residents to wash the area with soap and running water for 15 minutes, contact a healthcare provider or PPHD as soon as possible to determine whether rabies post-exposure treatment is needed, and, if it can be done safely, preserve the bat for possible testing.

Protecting pets from rabies

The release also reminds residents that pets can be exposed to rabies through contact with bats and other wildlife. PPHD advises that dogs, cats, ferrets, and other animals that can be vaccinated should be kept current on their rabies vaccinations. If a pet catches, bites, mouths, or otherwise comes into contact with a bat, owners are told not to handle the bat or attempt to remove it from the pet with bare hands, but instead to contact a veterinarian promptly and notify PPHD or local animal control as appropriate.

Preventing bats from entering homes

To reduce the chance of bats entering homes, PPHD states that residents can inspect buildings and seal cracks and openings around roofs, vents, chimneys, windows, doors, and other possible entry points. If bats are already roosting in a structure, the release says exclusion should be done carefully and preferably with help from a qualified wildlife professional.

For questions about possible rabies exposure, the district directs residents to contact Panhandle Public Health District at (308) 633-2866 and to reach out to a healthcare provider following potential human exposure or a veterinarian following potential pet exposure.

This brief was generated from a public document. Source: https://www.pphd.org/Site/Documents/NewsReleases/9.11.26%20Rabies_Fall26.pdf