10/13/2023
Be sure to know what to do if you encounter a bat!
If you know you've been bitten or scratched by a bat, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
If you are outdoors, avoid intentional contact with bats outside. Use screens, tents, or mosquito netting when sleeping outside. If you have direct contact with a bat you should talk to a healthcare or public health professional to determine if you need a vaccine to prevent rabies. If you are unsure if contact occurred but find a bat on or near you (for example, after waking up), you may need a vaccination.
If you find a bat in your house, call the Macon County Animal Control and Care Center at 217-425-4508. If professional assistance is not available, safely capture the bat in case testing for rabies is needed.
Please visit https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/animals/bats/index.html for further information on safety surrounding bats and the risk for rabies.