Rabies

What is rabies?

Rabies is a preventable, but fatal, viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, typically through a bite or scratch. Once symptoms appear in a person, rabies is almost always fatal. However, with prompt medical care and vaccination after exposure, it is preventable.  

Animals that commonly carry rabies in Michigan: 

  • Bats are the most common carrier of rabies in Michigan, but not all bats carry it.
  • Other wildlife species that can carry rabies include raccoons, skunks, and foxes.
  • Domestic animals can become infected if exposed; however, pets vaccinated against rabies are less likely to contract the disease or transmit it. 

How rabies spreads and risk factors:

  • Through bites or scratches from a rabid animal.
  • Through contact of saliva or brain/nervous tissue with open wounds or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, nose).
  • Non‑bite exposures are much less common but can be serious.
  • Bat bites or scratches can be very small, hard to see, or even go unnoticed, especially if someone was asleep 

Signs of rabies in people and animals: 

  • In people, early symptoms may feel flu‑like (fever, headache, weakness), possibly with discomfort, tingling, or itching at the site of exposure. Later symptoms can include confusion, agitation, difficulty swallowing, excess saliva or foaming at the mouth, hallucinations, and hydrophobia (fear of water).
  • In animals, signs are variable: wild animals may behave strangely or aggressively, appear disoriented or unusually tame, show paralysis, have difficulty walking or swallowing, drooling, and other neurological signs. But sometimes behavior changes are subtle.

What you can do to prevent rabies:

  • Vaccinate pets.
    • Ensure dogs, cats, ferrets, and any livestock that might be exposed are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
  • Keep wildlife wild.
    • Avoid contact with wild animals. Do not attempt to feed, capture, or handle wild or stray animals. Teach children never to approach or touch unfamiliar animals.
  • Secure your home.
    • Seal openings in homes where bats or other wildlife could enter.
  • Safe handling if exposure occurs.
    • If bitten, scratched, or if saliva or brain tissue contact is possible:
      • Wash the wound immediately with soap and water.
      • Seek medical attention without delay.
      • Local health departments should be notified 

What to do if there is a bat inside your home/space: 

If you find a bat in your home, follow these steps to minimize risk and ensure safety: 

  • Stay calm; do not touch the bat with your bare hands.
  • Contain or isolate the bat if possible.
    • Close the doors to the room.
    • Open windows or doors that lead outside so the bat has a chance to leave.
    • If the bat lands and you can safely do so, wear thick gloves, and trap it using a box or container with a lid. Slide a piece of cardboard or other stiff material under the box to enclose the bat.
    • Do not release or discard the bat immediately if there is a chance that the bat has bitten or scratched someone, especially in a room where a person was sleeping, a small child, or someone unable to tell if contact happened. Holding it for testing may be critical.
  • Contact your local health department.
    • In Grand Traverse County, call the Grand Traverse County Health Department at 231‑995‑6051 to report the incident. They will advise whether bat testing is needed.
  • Seek medical advice.
    • If you know you or a pet was bitten or scratched, or if you are uncertain but there was possible exposure, see a healthcare provider immediately.
  • Bat removal and exclusion.
    • Once the bat is out, or if there are signs of bat entry points, seal those points to prevent re-entry.
    • If there are multiple bats or a colony, consider hiring a wildlife or nuisance animal expert.

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