Potential Health Risks
Discovering a dead bat can raise concerns about potential health risks, primarily due to diseases bats can carry. Rabies is the most significant concern associated with bats, although it is less common than many people assume. Less than 1% of wild bats are estimated to carry rabies.
Rabies is a viral disease affecting the nervous system, usually transmitted through a bite or scratch from an infected animal. The virus is present in the saliva and nervous tissue of an infected bat. While direct contact is generally required for transmission, the risk from a dead bat is low. However, contact with infected saliva or brain tissue, especially through open wounds or mucous membranes, poses a risk. The rabies virus does not survive long outside a living host; it degrades rapidly once the bat dies, typically within a few hours to a day in warm conditions.
Beyond rabies, dead bats or their droppings can pose other health concerns. Histoplasmosis, a fungal disease, is caused by inhaling spores from Histoplasma capsulatum, found in soil enriched by bat or bird droppings. This airborne disease primarily affects the lungs, causing flu-like symptoms, and is more common in areas with large guano accumulations, like attics with bat colonies. Other pathogens or parasites may also be present, but direct contact is usually needed for transmission.
Safe Handling and Disposal
When encountering a dead bat and there has been no direct human or pet contact, safe handling and disposal are important to minimize any potential risks. Avoid touching the bat with bare hands at all costs. Instead, use protective gear such as disposable gloves or tools like a shovel, tongs, or an inverted plastic bag over your hand.
To pick up the bat, place a plastic bag over your hand like a glove, then grasp the bat, turning the bag inside out to enclose it. Alternatively, use a shovel or scoop to place the bat directly into a plastic bag. Double-bag the bat by placing the first bag into a second plastic bag. Securely tie or seal the second bag.
Dispose of the double-bagged bat with regular household garbage. After disposal, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, even if you wore gloves. It is also advisable to disinfect any surfaces that may have come into contact with the bat or its immediate area.
When to Contact Authorities
Certain situations involving a dead bat warrant contacting local authorities to ensure proper assessment and prevent disease transmission. If a human or pet has had direct contact with the dead bat, such as through a bite, scratch, or even suspected contact, immediately contact your local public health department, animal control, or a healthcare provider. This is particularly important if the contact involved an open wound or mucous membranes.
Contact authorities if a bat is found in a living area where people were sleeping, or where children, individuals with impaired mental capacity, or unvaccinated pets were present, as unnoticed contact might have occurred. In such cases, the bat should be collected for rabies testing, if possible. If you find multiple dead bats, or if the cause of death is unknown, report this to wildlife agencies or public health officials. They can provide guidance on whether the bat needs to be submitted for testing and advise on any necessary post-exposure treatments.