By Kendall Jang, Staff Writer
The Delaware Public Health District has confirmed that a bat in the City of Delaware, Ohio, tested positive for rabies, prompting a reminder for residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their pets.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans, dogs, cats, and wildlife. The virus is typically transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, making prevention and prompt medical attention essential.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Pets
Following the positive test, the Delaware Public Health District shared several important safety reminders:
Keep pets vaccinated. Make sure both indoor and outdoor pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
Avoid contact with bats. Never touch or handle a bat, even if it appears injured or inactive.
Secure your home. Keep window screens in good condition and ensure they are properly installed when windows are open.
Contact a professional. If you suspect bats are living in your home, contact a qualified wildlife professional for safe removal and exclusion.
If you or your pet may have been exposed to a bat, seek guidance immediately. Contact a healthcare provider or local public health department for potential human exposure, and a veterinarian for pet exposure. Bat bites can be difficult to detect, so any possible contact should be taken seriously.
Protecting Animals and Public Health
Bats play an important role in our ecosystem, including controlling insect populations. A positive rabies test does not mean all bats carry the virus, and bats should never be harmed simply because they are present outdoors.
At Ohio Animal Advocates, we encourage responsible pet ownership, wildlife coexistence, and preventive veterinary care to protect both animals and people.
For more information about rabies prevention and animal bite safety, visit the Delaware Public Health District and select “Animal Bites/Rabies.”
Get Involved
1. Help increase access to veterinary care by completing our action alert. Affordable veterinary services, including spay/neuter procedures and rabies vaccinations, help keep pets and communities healthy.
2. Explore our Statewide Directory to find veterinary services in Ohio. Rabies vaccines boosters should be scheduled every 1-3 years.
3. Share this story and action alert with friends and family! Encourage friends, family, and neighbors to keep their pets' rabies vaccinations up to date and learn how to safely coexist with wildlife.
4. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive animal welfare related news and resources in Ohio straight to your inbox.
