The chance of getting rabies from a bat in your house is extremely low, but not zero, especially if you wake up to find one in a bedroom with you or an unattended person, as bites can be tiny and missed, making medical evaluation crucial. While most bats aren't rabid (around 0.5-6% in some studies), the disease is almost always fatal if untreated, so health authorities recommend contacting them for risk assessment and potential Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) after any potential contact or even just finding a bat in a vulnerable person's room.

What are the odds of a bat having rabies?

Less than 1% of bats in the wild are infected with rabies. Rabid bats have been found in almost every county in Washington. Only people who may have been exposed to a bat or other potentially rabid animal should consider treatment for rabies.

Should I get a rabies shot if I had a bat in my house?

Yes, you likely need a rabies shot (post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP) if a bat was in your house, especially if anyone was sleeping, a child, or an impaired person was present, or if there was any direct contact (bite, scratch, even waking up with it in the room), because bat bites can be tiny and missed; contact your health department and doctor immediately to arrange for the bat to be tested and to start PEP if exposure is suspected. 

Do common house bats have rabies?

All mammals can contract and carry rabies, however bats are not asymptomatic carriers of the disease. In reality, bats contract rabies far less than other animals. Less than 1/2 of 1% of all bats may contract the disease.

Is it always obvious if a bat has rabies?

Rabid bats may act strangely, such as being active during the day, or they may be on the ground, not able to move, or may bite a person or animal. Not all rabid bats act in an unusual way, but bats that do are more likely to have rabies.

Mayo Clinic Minute: What you should know about bats and rabies

Can bats spread rabies without biting?

But any potential exposure to a bat has to be taken seriously, because bites can be extremely hard to detect and cases of rabies have occurred in the absence of a recognized bat bite. That's why people are considered to be "exposed" even if they were just sleeping in the same room as a bat.

What states have bats with rabies?

Bats carry rabies virus in every U.S. state except Hawaii, and can spread the virus year-round.

How long after bat exposure can you get rabies?

This is because the virus first has to reach the brain. This incubation period can range from weeks to months after initial infection. The duration depends on the specific type of rabies virus involved, how far from the brain the exposure occurs and any immunity someone may have.

When was the last case of rabies in the US?

In 2022, there was no human death due to rabies. In November 2024, a California art teacher died from rabies, about a month after being bitten by a bat she found in her classroom.

Is 7 days too late for rabies vaccine?

Even if you have been bitten a few days, weeks or months ago, it is never too late to start. The rabies virus can incubate for several years before it causes symptoms. If you wait until you get symptoms, it will be too late – there is no treatment for established rabies …

Is it safe to sleep in a house with bats?

No, you should not sleep with a bat in your house because they can carry rabies, and it's hard to tell if they bit you without waking up, creating a serious health risk. If a bat is in your home, especially your bedroom, contact your local health department or animal control to get it safely captured and tested for rabies; if you can't test it, you might need immediate medical treatment.

What time of year are bats most active?

Summer. Summer is perhaps the most active season for bats. With longer nights and an abundance of insects, bats take full advantage of these favorable conditions. They venture out every night to hunt for food, consuming vast quantities of insects such as mosquitoes, moths, beetles, and flies.

Should I get tested for rabies if there was a bat in my house?

If you think you have been in contact with a bat, talk to your health department. If you find a bat in your home, contact animal control or your health department to safely capture it for rabies testing.

What state has the most rabies cases?

While the risk is highest in the U.S. Southwest and Alaska, rabid foxes have been reported in many parts of the country and should be considered a high-risk exposure. Since 2023, rabies outbreaks in foxes have been reported in Arizona, California, and Alaska.

What are the first signs of rabies in humans?

Early signs of rabies in humans are often flu-like (fever, headache, weakness, discomfort) and include unusual tingling, itching, or pain at the bite site, lasting several days before more severe neurological symptoms like anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations develop as the virus reaches the brain.
 

What is the 10 day rule in rabies?

The 10-day observation period for a biting dog, cat, or ferret is a standard public health practice to determine rabies risk: if the animal remains healthy for 10 days after biting someone, it wasn't shedding the rabies virus in its saliva at the time of the bite, meaning the exposed person usually doesn't need rabies post-exposure shots (PEP). This quarantine ensures the animal is available for monitoring, preventing unnecessary euthanasia for brain testing and avoiding expensive PEP for the bite victim if the animal stays healthy.
 

What percent of bats found in homes have rabies?

Healthy bats, which are good for the environment, typically hide and sleep during the day and emerge at dusk to fly and eat insects. Only about 1% of bats in nature have rabies, however, about 15% bats found near people and pets in LA County test positive for rabies.

How do I test myself for rabies?

To date, there are no tests available to diagnose human rabies infection ante-mortem, or before the onset of clinical disease.

What state has no rabies?

While most U.S. states mandate rabies vaccination, Hawaii is the only state without statewide requirements, though it has strict import rules; other states offer medical exemptions (like CA, NY, FL, etc.) for pets too sick for vaccines, requiring vet certification, and some states (like Florida, New Jersey) only mandate vaccines for imported animals past a certain age.

What animal gives people rabies the most?

Animals most likely to transmit rabies in the United States include bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and skunks. In developing countries, stray dogs are the most likely to spread rabies to people. Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease nearly always causes death.

How small of a hole can a bat fit through?

Bats can enter through holes as small as 3/8" (the diameter of a dime) or spaces 3/8" by 7/8". Typical entry points include chimneys, louver fans, air intakes, exhaust vents, openings around plumbing, power or cable lines, spaces around doors and windows and where exterior siding has shrunk, warped or loosened.

How likely is it to get rabies from a bat scratch?

Technically, a scratch contaminated with saliva is an exposure, but scratches alone are less likely to transmit rabies than a bite. The practical problem arises in the consideration of scratches from bats.

Can a bat bite through a blanket?

Wear leather gloves and use a container such as a coffee can or small cardboard box. Do not use pillowcases, blankets or towels as bats may bite through fabric. Approach the bat slowly and place the container over the bat.

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