Number of Rabid Bats in Maryland is Increasing

Caution Urged on World Rabies Day

What to Know

  • The number of rabid bats in Maryland has increased for the second year in a row.
  • 100 cases of rabid bats have been confirmed in Md. so far this year.
  • To report a suspected rabid animal in Md., call 1-877-463-6497

You probably do not want to get up close and personal with one of October's most popular animals. 

For the second year in a row, the number of rabid bats in Maryland has increased, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The department is bringing awareness to the dangerous disease Wednesday, World Rabies Day.

“Rabies is a serious disease transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, such as a bat. It is nearly always fatal without the provision of preventive treatment,” said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. Howard Haft in a news release.

The department says that while only a small portion of bats have rabies, many recent U.S. cases of the disease in humans were due to rabid bats.

There have been 100 confirmed rabid bats in Md. so far this year.

Though a rabid animal typically exhibits identifiable behavior, like foaming at the mouth and staggering, there may be no obvious symptoms during the early stages of the disease. So it's important to exercise caution around all wild animals.

If a bat becomes trapped inside a building and there is a possibility that it may have bitten someone, the department recommends catching the bat so it can be tested for rabies.

Wear leather work gloves to carefully capture the bat with a small container and piece of cardboard with air holes.

Once the bat is securely trapped inside the container, contact the city or county health department so that it can be tested for rabies. 

A preventative vaccine is available to anyone who may have been exposed to the disease.

Maryland residents can call 1-877-463-6497 to report a suspected rabid or otherwise sick animal.

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