Louisville health officials urge caution after rabies-positive bat found in St. Matthews

Louisville health officials are warning residents to be diligent and exercise caution around wild animals after a bat found in the St. Matthews area tested positive for rabies.

The infected animal was found outside a home in the 40207 ZIP code, according to a statement from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.

The rabies virus impacts the central nervous system and can be deadly for humans and animals without the proper care. Louisville's health department recommends treatment for both bite and non-bite rabies virus exposures, which includes a dose of human rabies immune globulin and the rabies vaccine series.

"Transmission of rabies can occur through a bat’s bite or the animal’s saliva if it gets in a person’s eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound,” Louisville chief health strategist Connie Mendel said in a statement. “Someone may not realize they have been bitten by a bat because they have very sharp, tiny teeth.”

It is essential to receive preventative treatment if someone is exposed to rabies. By the time symptoms of rabies emerge, there is no cure and the virus becomes fatal.

Rabies is most commonly found in bats and skunks in Kentucky, and at least 18 bats in Jefferson County have tested positive for rabies since 2019, according to health department data.

Louisvillians who encounter a bat inside their homes are encouraged to contact their doctors and the public health department at (502) 574-6650. If a human is bitten or scratched by a bat, wash the wound out with soap and water and seek additional medical treatment. An exposed pet may need to be quarantined to ensure the virus is not transmitted.

For more information, visit the health department's website .

Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@courier-journal.com or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville health officials urge caution after rabies-positive bat found in St. Matthews