ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (WOWO): If you see a bat in your home, don’t kill it or set it free.
The Allen County Department of Health wants residents to safely capture the bat and contact Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control Office so the bat can be tested for rabies.
Rabies is a viral disease and is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. The virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals.
In Indiana this year, 10 bats have tested positive for rabies. Three bats have tested positive in Allen County.
To reduce the risk of rabies exposure:
- Vaccinate your pets
- Avoid contact with wildlife and stray animals
- Bat-proof your residence by plugging or caulking any holes larger than a quarter-inch by a half-inch that bats can use to gain entry, by using chimney caps and window screens, and by ensuring that all doors to the outside close tight.
If you are exposed to a bat scratch or bite, immediately wash the wound with soap and water then seek medical attention.
