Bat Found in Indian River County Apartment Tests Positive for Rabies

A bat removed from an apartment building in Indian River County tested positive for rabies this week, triggering a county rabies alert. I read the notification on the UF/IFAS St. Lucie County Blog, which confirmed the case in collaboration with Dr. Shelly Johnson and noted that very few bats actually carry the disease.

The alert means any person or pet that had contact with the bat should be evaluated for rabies exposure. Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually via a bite. The blog post emphasized that public health is the priority and that the rabid bat was found in an apartment setting, which raises the risk of human exposure.

What This Means for Florida Homeowners

If you find a bat inside your home, do not touch it. Bats are a protected species, but a rabid bat is a health emergency. Close off the room and call your local animal control or county health department immediately. The same caution applies to other wildlife that may enter your home. Raccoons are another common rabies vector in Florida, and you can find guidance on what animal control does with raccoons if one gets into your yard or house. If a raccoon becomes trapped in a chimney, our step-by-step guide on getting rid of raccoons in your chimney provides safe removal instructions.

Indian River County has not reported other rabies cases in bats this year, but the alert serves as a reminder that rabies is present in Florida’s wildlife. The UF/IFAS blog stated that homeowners should never handle bats or any wild animal that appears sick or behaves oddly. If you suspect a rabies exposure, contact a doctor right away.