The Jefferson County Health Department has been notified that a bat found in the Festus area has tested positive for rabies.
The bat was collected from a residence and taken to a wildlife rehab in St. Louis County and was tested by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services state lab, the Health Department reported in a written statement on Monday.
No other known positive cases are associated with the animal, authorities reported.
“This is the first animal in 2023 to test positive for rabies,” the report said. “Last year, Jefferson County had only one confirmed rabies case, a cat. In the United States, rabies is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. Although relatively uncommon, rabies is always considered present or endemic with certain types of animals in Missouri.”
The department does not regularly collect animals for rabies testing. Only animals that have had contact or significant potential for contact with humans are submitted for testing.
According to the Health Department, rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. Prevention includes vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife and seeking medical care after potential exposure before symptoms start. There is no cure for rabies, but timely administration of rabies post-exposure vaccinations may protect those who have been exposed.