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A big brown bat found on a mossy cave wall.

How to avoid the risk of rabies from bats

What to do if scratched, bitten, or are unsure if you were exposed

PRESS RELEASE
May 27, 2025

Bats are rarely aggressive and don’t commonly have rabies. However, it is always important to know what you need to do ahead of time, should you get bitten or scratched by a bat.

Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals. It is curable if it is treated quickly, but untreated rabies infects the brain and results in death.

“If someone is scratched or bitten by a bat, we need to test it for rabies. We encourage people to bring it to public health if they can, preferably dead,” said Garfield County Deputy Public Health Director Sara Brainard.

Brainard shared the story of a client who was rafting when a bat flew down and landed on her. She couldn’t tell if she had been bitten, but when she saw that bat’s unusual behavior, she decided to capture it in the boat.

“She did everything right,” continued Brainard. “She brought the bat to us, and it tested positive for rabies. We were able to get her started on treatment right away. This is a perfect example of what to do if you are bitten, scratched, or think that contact may have occurred.”

In Garfield County, bats are the most common animals that have rabies, but the virus can also be found in skunks and raccoons around the state. In other countries, dogs are frequent carriers, so it is important to exercise caution when interacting with animals that you don’t know.

If you find a bat inside your home and no contact has occurred:

  • You can release the bat into the wild but take precautions so that you are not bitten or scratched and avoid damaging the bat.
  • Open doors or windows to help the bat fly out on their own.
  • Confine the bat in a container, such as a small box. Slide cardboard under the container and tape it closed.
  • Never handle a bat with your bare hands. Wear heavy gloves or use tongs or a shovel if you need to pick up the bat.

    • If you find a bat inside your home and have had contact or are unsure:

    You may be unsure if you were sleeping and awoke to find a bat. Children, or incapacitated people may not know if they had contact.

  • Do not release the bat into the wild. The bat may need to be tested for rabies.
  • Never handle a bat with your bare hands.
  • If you have been bitten, wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
  • Keep the bat away from other people and pets while you contact an expert or try to contain it.
  • Without harming the bat, confine it in a container, such as a small box. Slide carboard under the container and tape it closed.
  • Wear heavy gloves or use tongs or a shovel if you need to pick up the bat.

    • Call Garfield County Public Health at 970-945-6614, ext. 8135, to report the incident. They will decide if the bat can be released or should be tested.

    Pets and bats

  • If your pet was bitten by a bat, had a bat in its mouth, or was near a grounded bat, contact your veterinarian.
  • Dogs and cats 4 months or older are required to be up to date on their rabies vaccination.

    • If bats move in

    Bats may seek shelter in buildings and homes. While bats are highly beneficial animals, they sometimes cause problems or are considered pests. Keep bats from moving into spaces where people live. Permanently and humanely removing bats from coming back into buildings requires patience and attention to detail. You can do it yourself or hire a professional.

    Garfield County Public Health information is provided online on the public health website.