Nik Rajkovic / news@whmi.com

Livingston County Health Department on Friday reported the county's first rabies case in an animal this year.

It was a bat that tested positive for rabies. No other details were provided.

The Health Department wants everyone to remember: If you have contact with a bat, check it out before you let it out!

“When you find a bat in your home, don’t panic,” says Kristen Flory, Communicable Disease Coordinator at LCHD. “Call us. We’re here to guide you through what to do next.”

What to Do If You Think You Were Exposed

Rabies is deadly, but it can be prevented. Bat bites can be very small and hard to see, so it’s important to act right away. If you have contact with a bat:

Capture the bat. A bat can be tested for rabies, which may prevent you from needing expensive shots.

Report the exposure. Use LCHD’s secure online form linked below to report any bat contact or animal bite.

Call for guidance. Contact LCHD at 517‑552‑6882 for testing guidance and next steps. Leave a message. Our staff will return your call.

When a Bat Exposure May Have Happened

You may have been exposed to rabies even if you don’t see a bite or scratch. Exposure can occur when:

A bat bites you or you touch its saliva or brain tissue.

You wake up and find a bat in your bedroom.

A bat is in a room with a child who was alone.

A bat is in a room with someone who is mentally disabled or intoxicated.

LCHD staff can help you decide if you were exposed and what to do next.

Rabies is a virus that affects the brain and is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. It spreads through bites or scratches from infected animals, especially bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. If someone is exposed, rabies can be prevented with a series of shots given before symptoms start.

How to Prevent Rabies

Keep bats out of your home. Make sure windows and doors have screens. Seal small openings. Bats can fit through holes as small as a dime.

If an animal bites or scratches you: Wash the area with soap and water right away and get medical help. Report the bite using LCHD’s secure online form linked below.

Vaccinate your pets. Keep cats, dogs, and ferrets up to date on rabies shots.