The Lake County General Health District has received information that a bat from Kirtland was recently confirmed to be rabid by the Ohio Department of Health. A Geauga County resident reported that the bat had contact with her and has started post-exposure prophylaxis. This is the first rabid bat found in Lake County since 2020, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
According to Bert Mechenbier, Environmental Health Supervisor, “Bats are beneficial as they eat large numbers of flying insects, but bats may also be a source of rabies.” Mechenbier added, “Humans and pets are exposed to the rabies virus when they are either bitten or scratched by an infected animal; or less commonly, when saliva from an infected animal gets into an open wound or mucous membrane. In the case of a known exposure to a bat, or if a bat is discovered in the house while residents are sleeping, the bat should be carefully captured and the Health District contacted to determine if the bat should be tested.”
Health Commissioner Ron Graham added, “Residents should not fear spending time outside, but should be aware and keep their pets nearby.”
Mechenbier wants to remind residents about the mandatory rabies vaccination law for ALL DOGS, CATS, and FERRETS over four months of age. This requirement also applies to indoor pets because, in some instances, a potentially rabid animal (especially bats) may get into the house. As a result, it is important for pet owners to have their pets regularly vaccinated against rabies and always keep the shots up-to-date. Vaccinating pets against rabies protects the pet, as well as family members, against the threat of this fatal disease.
For more information on rabies, please visit: https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/zoonotic-disease-program/diseases/rabies or https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html.
