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Ohio (WOIO) – Cuyahoga County Board of Health has issued a warning after increased reports of bats carrying rabies
Cuyahoga County Board of Health, known as CCBH, said five bats have tested positive for rabies in the past two months. Usually the agency sees one or two rabid bats over the course of a year
CCBH has sent out a public health reminder that if a bat is found in a home or an exposure has occurred to not release it. Instead, safely contain the bat so it can be tested for rabies
According to the public health reminder, an exposure can include a bite, scratch or any of the following:
- Come into direct skin contact with a bat.
- Wakes up to a bat in the room.
- A bat is found in a room with an unattended child.
- A bat is found in a room with a person that is unable to reliably communicate if an exposure has occurred.
- A pet has direct contact with a bat.
CCBH says if you have found a bat, either contact a professional or follow these steps to contain it:
- Close all doors and windows and turn on lights.
- Wait for bat to land.
- Wear protective gloves and place a container over the bat.
- Slide either a lid or cardboard under the container and seal it with tape.
If the bat is dead, CCBH says to place the container with the bat inside of a refrigerator or cooler with ice
Cuyahoga County Board of Health has stressed the importance of avoiding all contact with bats. If no exposure has occurred, safely release the bat by turning on all lights, close interior doors, open all exterior doors and windows and watch for the bat to leave
If you have located and contained a bat, or have any questions, call Cuyahoga County Board of Health at 216-201-2000
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