Management of Human-Bat Encounters
Animal Bites and Rabies Risk: A Guide for Health Professionals
On this page:
Bat encounters and bat bites
When should a bat be submitted for rabies testing?
How to capture a bat and submit it for testing
Assessment of the need for rabies PEP following a bat encounter
Bat encounters and bat bites
Most people who have been bitten by a bat report a stinging or needle prick sensation. However, bat bites may not be noticed, especially if someone is asleep, and bat bites may leave little or no evidence of a wound or puncture.
When should a bat be submitted for rabies testing?
- A person has been bitten or has had any physical contact with a bat.
- A person wakes up to find a bat in the bedroom.
- A bat is found in a room with an unattended child.
How to capture a bat and submit it for testing
- Use a container with a lid. Do not use pillowcases, blankets or towels, as bats may bite through fabric.
- Wear leather gloves.
- Approach the bat slowly and place the container over the bat. Then slide the lid (or a piece of cardboard) underneath the bat and flip the container over, trapping the bat inside.
- Secure the lid with tape.
- There is no need to kill the bat; the bat may be hand delivered alive to the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory during normal business hours or it may be euthanized by a veterinarian prior to shipping. The brain must remain intact for the bat to be tested for rabies.
- If the bat is dead, keep it cool, but avoid freezing.
- Submit the bat for rabies testing: (For more information on rabies specimen submission, including after hours submissions, see rabies testing).
- Deliver the bat in person to the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the University
of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota (map)
or contact a local veterinary clinic to euthanize the bat (if necessary), package it, and arrange for overnight shipment.
- Deliver the bat in person to the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the University
of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota (map)
- In some Minnesota communities, an animal control officer may be called to capture a bat and submit it for rabies testing.
Assessment of the need for rabies PEP following a bat encounter
- Administration of rabies PEP should generally be deferred until the results of a rabies test are known. Test results are available within 1 to 2 business days and only 3% to 4% of bats test positive for rabies.
- PEP should be initiated if there is a human/bat encounter during which physical contact occurred or may have occurred, and the bat is not available for testing.
- Consultation with MDH on handling bat encounters is available 24/7 to healthcare providers and veterinarians at 651-201-5414, and to the public at the same number Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
