Rabies | FWC

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Buy and Apply
- Recreational
  - Fishing & Hunting
    - How to Order
    - Do I Need a License?
    - Limited Entry/Quota Hunts
  - Public Land Use
  - Accessibility Accommodations
- Commercial
  - Commercial Licenses
    - Commercial Saltwater
    - Commercial Freshwater
    - CLS Online Login
  - Charter Licenses
  - Vessel Pier Licenses
- Wildlife
  - Wildlife Permits
  - Nuisance Wildlife Permits
  - Captive Wildlife Permits
- More ...
  - Application Forms
  - Boating & Navigation
Resolve a Wildlife Conflict
- Wildlife Alert
  - Report a Violation
  - Know the Rules
    - Captive Wildlife
    - Saltwater Recreational Regulations
    - Freshwater Recreational Regulations
    - Hunting Regulations
    - Boating Regulations
    - See All
- Resolve Wildlife Conflict
  - Learn to Unhook Seabirds
  - Living with Wildlife
    - Bear
    - Bats
    - Coyote
    - Alligators and Crocodiles
    - Shorebirds/Seabirds
    - Snakes
    - See All
- Report Issues
  - Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc.
    - Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program
    - Report Fish Kills
    - Red Tide Status
    - Report Sightings of Nonnative Species
    - Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees
    - See All
Engaging in Conservation
- Conservation
  - Value of Conservation
  - Living with Wildlife
  - Freshwater Programs
  - Saltwater Programs
  - Terrestrial Programs
  - Stash the trash
  - Special Initiatives
    - Coastal Wildlife
    - State Wildlife Action Plan
    - See All
- Wildlife and Habitats
  - Wildlife Conservation
  - Nonnative Species
  - Species Profiles
    - Alligator
    - Bald Eagle
    - Bear
    - Gopher Tortoise
    - Manatee
    - Panther
    - Sea Turtle
    - See All
- How You Can Conserve
  - Install Wildlife Lighting
  - Exotic Pet Amnesty
  - Habitat Management
    - Working with Private Landowners
    - Invasive Plants
    - Prescribed Fire
    - Management Plans
    - Aquatic Habitat Conservation
    - See All
  - Education
    - Educators
    - Outdoor Skills
    - Learn about Wildlife
    - See All
- Research
  - Freshwater
  - GIS and Mapping
  - Habitat
  - Manatee
  - Red Tide
  - Saltwater
  - Wildlife
  - Publications
  - About
Things To Do
- Fishing
  - Freshwater Fishing
    - Recreational Regulations
    - Commercial Regulations
    - Fish Identification
    - Fishing Education
    - Sites & Forecasts
    - See All
  - Saltwater Fishing
    - Recreational Regulations
    - Commercial Regulations
    - Fish Identification
    - Saltwater Fishing Clinics
    - Provide Comments
    - See All
- Hunting
  - Regulations
    - WMA Brochures
    - Season Dates
    - Hunter Safety
    - Limited Entry Hunts
  - New Hunter
  - Public Shooting Ranges
  - Alligator
  - Deer
  - Dove
  - Turkey
  - Quail
  - Waterfowl
  - Wild Hog
- Wildlife Recreation
  - Wildlife Viewing
    - Where to View Wildlife
    - How to View Wildlife
    - Backyards and Beyond
    - Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail
    - See All
  - Recreation on Wild Lands
    - What are WMAS?
    - Explore by name
    - Explore by map
    - What to Do
    - See All
- Boating
  - Regulations
  - Safety & Education
    - Safety Equipment
    - ID Cards
    - Courses
    - See All
  - Boat Ramps & Access
  - Derelict Vessels
  - Stash the trash
  - Wear It Florida
  - Wildlife Alert
Places To Go
- WMAs
  - WMA Brochures
    - Area Opened/Closed Status
  - What are Wildlife Management Areas?
    - Explore By Name
    - Explore the Map
    - See All
- Recreation
  - Where to Go
    - Hunting
    - Fishing
    - Wildlife Viewing
    - Hiking
    - See All
  - Outfitters and Guides
- Public Shooting Ranges
  - Range Safety Rules
  - Safety & Education
  - Map of public shooting ranges
- Go Outdoors Florida!
  - Discover Wildlands
  - Fishing Sites & Forecasts
  - Boating Ramps & Access
  - Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail
  - Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network
  - Calendar of Events
  - Artificial Reefs
About Us
- About
  - Inside FWC
    - Research Institute
    - Hunting and Game Management
    - Freshwater Fisheries Management
    - Law Enforcement
    - Habitat and Species Conservation
    - Marine Fisheries Management
    - See All
- Commission
  - Commission Meetings
  - Commissioners
  - Agency Overview
  - Strategic Planning
  - Rules & Regulations
  - News
    - Sign up for news releases
- Contact
  - Social Media
  - FWC Offices
  - Law Enforcement
  - Wildlife Alert
  - Tell Us What You Think
  - Rule Change Comments
  - Public Records Requests
  - Order Publications
  - Signs
  - Participation at Your Event
- Get Involved
  - Volunteer
  - Internships
  - Employment
    - Law Enforcement
    - Career Opportunities
  - Support FWC
    - Gift Ideas
    - Youth Programs and Activities
    - Donate
    - Buy-a-Plate

Home
Conservation
How You Can Conserve
Living with Wildlife and Preventing Wildlife Conflicts
Living With Bats
Bats and Health
Rabies

Rabies

Bats do carry rabies, and are one of the primary vectors for rabies exposure in the United States. The Florida Department of Health website provides statistics specific to Florida, including county and species specific data. Although bats are rabies vectors, raccoons and foxes have a higher incidence of rabies than bats do. Still, many people fear bats more as a rabies vector, and the primary reason is because of misinformation or a lack of knowledge about bats. Popular culture and media representations of bats may have made this worse by creating fear or worry about bats.

Most bats do not have rabies. For example, even among bats submitted for rabies testing in the U.S. (these only included bats capable of being captured), only about 6 percent had rabies. There is no way to determine if a bat has rabies by simply looking at it. Rabies can only be confirmed in a laboratory. A bat that is unable to fly and is easily approached could very well be sick.

Rabies is a fatal disease, but there are usually only one or two human rabies cases each year in the U.S.

Key facts about bats and rabies

Rabies is contracted from the saliva or brain matter of infected animals. A person has zero chance of getting rabies if not in direct contact with one of these materials.
Bats do carry rabies. However, any mammal is capable of carrying rabies, and in Florida, foxes and raccoons have a higher incidence of rabies than bats do.
All native bats in Florida are insectivorous, meaning they eat only insects and bats usually avoid people.
Bats with rabies get sick and die, just like any other animal. They do not become aggressive but will bite if handled.
Don’t touch or go near any wild animal, particularly one that is not acting normally.

Coming in contact with bats

Teach people, especially children, never to handle bats or any unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. Wash any wound from a bat or other animal thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately. Have all dead, sick, or easily captured bats tested for rabies if exposure to people or pets occurs.

People often know when they’ve been bitten by a bat, but most types of bats have very small teeth which may leave marks that disappear quickly. If you are bitten by a bat -- or infectious material (such as saliva or brain material) from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound -- wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and get medical advice immediately. Whenever possible, the bat should be captured and sent to the county health department for rabies testing. Bats can be captured by placing a clear plastic container over them and sliding the lid under, trapping the bat inside. Also, a butterfly net can be used, but care must be taken to avoid contact with the bat.

People can’t get rabies just from seeing a bat in an attic, in a cave, at summer camp, or from a distance while it is flying. In addition, people can’t get rabies from having contact with bat guano (feces), blood, or urine or from touching a bat on its fur.

If you think your pet has been bitten by a bat, contact a veterinarian or your health department for assistance immediately and have the bat tested for rabies. Remember to keep rabies vaccinations current for cats, dogs and other animals.

The best long-term solution to health and safety concerns regarding bats is taking steps to prevent them from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, businesses, schools and other similar areas where they might come into contact with people and pets.

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Tag » What Percentage Of Bats Have Rabies

Rabies | FWC

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Key facts about bats and rabies

Coming in contact with bats

Rabies | Washington State Department Of Health

Avoid Risk Of Rabies From Bats | Rabies | CDC

CDC: Beware Of Bats After 3 Recent Rabies Deaths

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A Bat In The Bedroom Leads To A Lesson On Rabies

Rabies - BC Centre For Disease Control

[PDF] Bats-rabies-fact-sheet.pdf

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