Three bats found in Jefferson County this summer have tested positive for rabies.
The bats were found in Festus, High Ridge and House Springs.
After the bats were turned over to the Jefferson County Health Department, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services lab confirmed on Aug. 29 that the bat found in Festus had rabies. On Sept. 6, the lab confirmed the bat found in High Ridge had rabies, and on Monday it verified that the bat found in House Springs had rabies.
This year was the first time since 2011 that an animal tested positive for rabies in Jefferson County, the Health Department reported.
However, residents should not worry about the discovery of bats with rabies, said Judy Tufts, Emergency Response supervisor at the Health Department.
“Although relative uncommon, rabies is always considered to be present or endemic within the bat population in Missouri,” the Health Department reported.
Cases are most common in summer months when the weather is warmer and animals are more active.
“It is more common than you think,” Tufts said “But it is not common to test them if there has not been contact with a human or animal.”
“Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes.
“There is no cure for rabies. Timely administration of rabies post-exposure vaccinations can protect those who may have been exposed to the virus,” according to the Health Department.
Anyone bitten or scratched by an animal should get medical attention right away. The animal should be quarantined and submitted for rabies testing, the report said.
“If the animal cannot be located, rabies vaccinations need to be started as soon as possible. Pet owners should ensure their cats and dogs are up to date on their rabies vaccinations,” according to the report.
The Health Department does not usually collect animals for rabies testing. Only animals that have had contact with people or have had “a significant potential for contact” with people should be submitted for testing, the report said.
Anyone who finds a bat should be careful to avoid exposure and use caution when disposing of it.
For more information about rabies, go to health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/rabies.