A bat in the house

Possible rabies exposure requires public-health risk assessment rather than assumption from the mere presence of a bat. Relevant exposures include a bite or scratch and saliva or nervous tissue contacting a mucous membrane or an open wound.

The CDC states that direct bat contact warrants prompt assessment unless a bite or scratch can be definitively ruled out. Pennsylvania guidance also identifies circumstances such as a bat in a room with a sleeping person, unattended child, intoxicated or impaired person, or someone unable to determine whether contact occurred as situations requiring appropriate public-health evaluation.

If a bat is found in a living space, avoid bare-hand contact and keep people and pets from handling it. If human contact may have occurred, contact the appropriate health department or healthcare provider promptly.

When potential human exposure to a bat may have occurred and the bat is available, the bat should not be released until public-health authorities have advised whether rabies testing is needed. Pennsylvania guidance states that rabies testing is performed on dead mammals, so capture and disposition decisions should be coordinated with the appropriate authorities rather than improvised.