On September 14, 2021, Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) was notified by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) state lab that the presence of rabies was found in a bat tested from Jefferson County. The bat was collected from the Festus area after a dog discovered the bat. There was no human contact associated with the case. The City of Festus Animal Control is monitoring/overseeing the health of the exposed dog.
This is the second bat in Jefferson County to test positive for rabies this year. In late August, a bat from the Hillsboro area, discovered by a cat, also tested positive for rabies. In the United States, rabies is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Although relatively uncommon, rabies is always considered to be present or endemic within the bat population of Missouri.
Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, and seeking medical care after potential exposures before symptoms start. There is no cure for rabies. Timely administration of rabies post-exposure vaccinations can protect those that may have been exposed to the virus. For more information on rabies, visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html.
The health department does not regularly collect bats or other animals for rabies testing. Only bats that have had contact, or significant potential for contact, with humans may be submitted for testing. If a bat is found, use precaution to dispose of it in a way to avoid all exposure and apply the necessary protective equipment.