Bats play an important role in Ohio's environment but encounters between bats and people can pose a serious health concern because bats can carry rabies. “It is recommended to never touch a bat. Bats are happiest when left alone,” officials from the Logan County Health District said this week in a social media post. “If you think you were bitten or scratched by a bat, talk with your health care provider for the next steps.”

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system. It is preventable with prompt medical treatment, but once symptoms develop, the disease is almost always fatal. In the United States, bats are the animal most frequently associated with rabies. People should never handle a bat with their bare hands, even if the animal appears injured, sick or unable to fly.

Bats with unusual behavior — such as being active during daylight hours, being found on the ground or being unusually easy to approach — may warrant additional caution. However, it is not possible to determine whether a bat has rabies simply by looking at it. Rabies can only be confirmed through laboratory testing.

If a bat enters a home, residents should avoid direct contact and contact their local health department or animal-control authorities for guidance on safely handling the situation. When possible, a bat involved in a potential human exposure may need to be safely captured and tested rather than immediately released.