Kansas City, Missouri – Seven rabies-positive bats have been confirmed in Kansas City this year, a number local health officials say is the highest the city has recorded in more than a decade. With bat encounters increasing across the metro, residents are being urged to treat even uncertain contact seriously.
The warning comes as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services report rising rabies activity both nationally and in the Kansas City area. The Kansas City, Missouri Health Department is now reminding residents that a bat exposure is not something to dismiss simply because no obvious bite is visible.
“People should avoid handling bats and should take any possible exposure seriously,” said Dr. Marvia Jones, MPH, PhD, Director of Health.
“Because bat bites can be difficult to see, it is important to seek medical advice following a possible exposure.”
Residents should not touch a bat, whether it is alive or dead. If one is found inside a home, Kansas City Animal Control can be reached at 816-513-1313 or through 311. Animal Control and the Health Department can then determine whether the animal should be tested for rabies.
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Officials also advise residents not to release a bat immediately if an exposure may have occurred. When possible, and without approaching or touching the animal, residents can close the door to keep it confined to the room while contacting health authorities for instructions.
Anyone who is bitten, scratched or has direct contact with a bat should seek medical care immediately. Residents should also call Animal Control after waking to find a bat in a bedroom. Extra caution is recommended when a bat is discovered near an unattended child or a person who cannot say whether contact occurred.
Pets should be kept away from bats and remain current on rabies vaccinations.
Late summer and early fall can also bring more bats into homes as they search for shelter. Residents can reduce that risk by checking rooflines, chimneys, fascia boards and window frames for small openings. Vents and larger gaps can be covered with hardware cloth or steel mesh while preserving airflow. Tree branches near roofs should be trimmed, with vegetation kept about 6 to 8 feet from exterior walls when possible.
Reducing bright outdoor lighting may also help by attracting fewer insects, which bats feed on.
Rabies is usually transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal, but prompt medical evaluation and appropriate post-exposure treatment can prevent illness.
Residents with questions about possible exposure or rabies post-exposure prophylaxis can contact the Kansas City Health Department at 816-513-6008.
