Beware of Bats and Rabies

First published October 2016
Updated October 2026

It’s that time of year again, when ghosts and goblins take to the streets in search of sugary treasure. And while there’s plenty to say about costumes, candy and Halloween safety, let’s focus on another creature associated with the season: bats.

Bats are important members of our ecosystem, and most bats do not have rabies. Still, bats are the animals most frequently reported with rabies in the United States, and most people who die from rabies in this country were exposed to a rabid bat.

What Is Rabies?

Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It usually spreads through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, when saliva containing the virus enters broken skin or a mucous membrane.

The tricky thing about bats is that their teeth are tiny. A bite or scratch may be difficult to see or even notice.

After an exposure, rabies may take weeks or months to cause symptoms. Early symptoms can resemble the flu, with fever, headache and weakness. As the infection reaches the brain, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, difficulty swallowing, paralysis and other serious neurological symptoms can develop.

Once symptoms appear, rabies is nearly always fatal. Fortunately, it is also preventable when treatment is started promptly after an exposure.

What Should You Do After a Bat Encounter?

Never handle a bat with your bare hands. If your child is bitten or scratched, the CDC recommends washing the area thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes and seeking medical care right away.

You should also seek advice if there may have been direct physical contact with a bat and you cannot confidently rule out a bite or scratch. This can be especially important with young children who may not be able to reliably describe what happened.

Finding a bat in your home does not automatically mean everyone needs rabies shots, but they might. The circumstances matter. A healthcare professional or your local health department can help determine whether an exposure occurred and whether the bat should be captured safely for testing.

What About the Rabies Shots?

Fortunately, the dreaded series of painful shots in the abdomen is ancient history.

For someone who has never received rabies vaccine, treatment after a significant exposure typically includes careful wound cleaning, a dose of rabies immune globulin and four doses of rabies vaccine given over two weeks. Recommendations differ for people who have previously been vaccinated or who are immunocompromised.

The important thing is not to wait for symptoms.

So, enjoy the costumes, candy and spooky decorations... and appreciate real bats from a safe distance. If a bat encounter leaves you wondering whether your child was exposed to rabies, contact a healthcare professional or local health department promptly.