MAINE, USA — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is reminding residents and visitors of the increased bat activity during summer months and ways to avoid contact and possible rabies exposure.
Although bat exposures can occur any time of year, the critters are most active in Maine from July into early September. According to a news release from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the Maine CDC encourages locals and tourists to be cautious around bats, to keep a safe distance, and to know what to do after exposure.
"Bats play an important role in the environment but can also spread viruses such as rabies. Rabies can be fatal in humans, pets, and livestock. Timely treatment following a rabies exposure is effective in preventing the disease in humans," the release stated. "Human rabies cases are rare in the United States, and Maine last reported a human rabies case in 1937. In 2023, bats made up 49 percent of the 721 animals tested by Maine CDC. Nine of the bats tested positive for rabies."
Rabies spreads when an infected mammal bites or scratches other mammals. Contact with an infected animal's brain or spinal cord can also spread the virus to humans, pets, or livestock. However, rabies can't be spread through blood, urine, feces, skunk spray, or dried saliva, according to the Maine CDC.
Rabid animals may show a variety of symptoms or no symptoms at all. The Maine CDC suggests avoiding contact with wildlife, including bats or any animals you do not know, whenever possible.
Determining whether exposure to a bat occurred may be difficult. Assess each exposure on a case-by-case basis and always treat bats with caution. A bat exposure may include:
- Bites
- Scratches
- Handling a bat without gloves
- Waking up with a bat in the room
- Finding a bat in a room with an unaccompanied child or incapacitated adult
- Pets and livestock holding a bat in their mouths or found in the same area as the bat (like a living room or barn)
If you think you might have been exposed to a bat, follow these steps:
- Capture the bat safely. Only release the bat outdoors if you are certain the bat did not have contact with people or pets. If unsure, call the Maine CDC before releasing the bat.
- Submit the bat for rabies testing. If a bat exposure occurs, contact the Maine Warden Service. Call your local animal control officer if a game warden is not available. They will pick up and transport the bat for rabies testing.
- Seek health care. If bitten or scratched, wash the wound with soap and warm water for 10-15 minutes. Contact a health care provider. You can prevent getting rabies after a bat exposure with rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (rabies PEP). In most cases, you can wait until lab results come back for the tested animal to start rabies PEP. Your healthcare provider will decide to begin or stop rabies PEP.
- Protect pets and livestock. Talk to a veterinarian if bats have contact with pets or livestock.
- Keep your pets and livestock up to date on rabies vaccination to protect them and help reduce or eliminate quarantine times.
- Bat-proof buildings: The best way to prevent rabies is to prevent contact with rabid animals. Take steps to remove or prevent bats from entering your home or building.
For more information:
Maine CDC rabies webpage
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW) bats webpage
Maine CDC Disease Reporting & Consultation Line: 1-800-821-5821 (available 24/7)
MDIFW game warden dispatch centers (for bat pick-up and delivery)
- Augusta: 1-800-452-4664
- Bangor: 1-800-432-7381
- Houlton: 1-800-924-2261
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