With more than a dozen reports of rabies in bats since Oct. 2023, health experts from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health are advising people to be more cautious around wild animals. 

Rabies is a central nervous system disease caused by a virus usually transmitted from wild animals to domesticated pets and humans. The virus is typically transmitted via the saliva of an infected animal biting another animal or human, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. 

Rabies is rare for humans in the U.S., with less than 10 deaths reported each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the disease is still present in wildlife, three in four Americans live near rabies carriers such as skunks, bats and foxes. 

Senior Epidemiologist at the Minnesota Department of Health and State Rabies Surveillance Coordinator Carrie Klumb said the number of rabies cases in bats this year is not unusual compared to previous years. Klumb added there is a slight increase in cases in the Hennepin County area but it is nothing to be concerned about. 

“We look at the number of rabid bats just in the City of Minneapolis,” Klumb said. “That’s pretty much right in line with what we see year to year in general of bats in our state.” 

Melinda Wilkins, a University veterinary professor with expertise in infectious diseases in wildlife, said bats and skunks are the main carriers of rabies in Minnesota. She said bat pups grow into their teenage years and find their way into homes and buildings, especially in the fall. 

Of the 13 reported cases in Minnesota over the last year, bats were the most common source. The most recent case came from Minnesota on Sept. 8.

Klumb said between June and mid-September is the busiest time of year for rabies-related calls which averages about 40 calls per day. Klumb said some of those calls are due to more people being outside and around animals, especially bats due to their pups leaving the nest. 

Wilkins said if a bat gets into a home, call the local health department to learn the best way to capture it. Wilkins said it is necessary to keep the bat alive to test if it has rabies and if vaccinations are needed. 

Klumb said if a bat hits someone’s skin, that is a potential exposure. Rabies can enter the body through the eyes, ears and mouth as well as bites and saliva. Klumb said if a domestic animal or livestock bites a human, the Minnesota Department of Health will conduct a 10-day observation period to see if the animal is exhibiting signs of rabies and if tests and vaccinations are in order. 

Wilkins said around 1% of bats carry rabies, but if a bat is acting weird and unafraid of humans it could be rabid. Keeping up with pet vaccinations and avoiding wild animals are the main steps to prevention. 

Signs of rabies differ depending on the animal infected and the kind of rabies strain carried by the wild animal, according to Wilkins. In dogs, common signs of rabies are odd barking, overreactions to touches, and being uncharacteristically aggressive or fearful. 

“Eventually they might have difficulty swallowing, loss of balance, stumbling around,” Wilkins said. “Then they get paralyzed and they might fall down and have seizures. Eventually, it just sort of takes over their brain.”

Wilkins said cats usually have similar symptoms as dogs, however, they tend to better hide their symptoms. Wilkins added that all cases of rabies left untreated are fatal in animals and humans. 

Klumb said when someone contacts the Minnesota Department of Health’s rabies department with concerns about rabies exposure, a risk assessment will follow. She added that the rabies virus has to travel from the muscles to the nerves all the way to the brain for symptoms to show. 

“We don’t ever want people to get symptoms because then it’s too late,” Klumb said. “If you’ve had an exposure, we want you to call us or your healthcare provider right away.”

Immediately washing the infected area with soap and water is recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health, followed by a doctor’s visit and a call to the Minnesota Department of Health. 

Klumb added even if someone had a potential rabies exposure days or weeks ago, they should still call their care provider. Klumb said there is a common misconception that the exposure has to be reported within 24 or 48 hours, which is untrue. 

Wilkins said rabies signs in humans are similar to symptoms in dogs and cats but would be described with different terms such as anxiety, confusion, agitation, delirium and sometimes hallucinations. Wilkins added sometimes a fear of water can occur when infected by rabies. 

“We can describe what’s going on in our brain,” Wilkins said. “So, (with) animals, we just have to try to interpret based on their behavior.”

If a pet is suspected of being exposed to rabies, owners should call the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. If a person believes they have been exposed, they should call the Minnesota Department of Health and they will help figure out what next steps to take. 

“If you’re concerned or if you’ve even potentially had exposure, call the health department,” Wilkins said.

Correction: A previous version of this article said to call the death department if someone is concerned or had exposure to rabies. It is the health department.