Rabies detected in Delaware County bat: what you need to know

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) – The Delaware Public Health District has put out a bat signal after a reported rabies alert.

The Health District, which serves Delaware County and parts of Columbus, Dublin and Westerville, announced Tuesday that a bat has tested positive for rabies in Ashley, about 10 miles northwest of Delaware.

Details on what led to the discovery were unavailable, but a social media message released the following recommendations should anyone encounter a bat:

• If you can, safely capture the bat and call the Health District at 740-368-1700. To learn more on how to remove a bat safely, visit the Centers of Disease Control website.
• Talk with your doctor about appropriate care, especially since the animal cannot be submitted for testing
• Contact the Health District about quarantine and/or veterinarian care if a bat comes in contact with a pet.
• Keep your pets up to date on vaccinations.

The Health District also warned that bites from bats can be small enough to go undetected and a person who is asleep, impaired or mentally disabled may not know they were bitten. If a bat is found within the same room with one of these individuals it is considered an exposure and medical care should be sought out.