Thus far for 2008, one bat has tested positive for rabies in Muskegon County. During 2007, thirteen bats tested positive for rabies in Muskegon County. To view maps of rabies positive animals in Michigan click here.

In Michigan, bats are the species most at risk for rabies infection, and of all the species of animals tested each year in the State, they are the most likely to be positive. Sick bats are more likely to exhibit abnormal behavior, have an encounter with a human or another animal, and be submitted for rabies testing.

Abnormal behaviors include:

• Being active during the day
• Being found in a place where bats are not usually seen (such as inside a home)
• Inability to fly

To reduce your risk of exposure to a rabid bat:

• Avoid picking up or touching bats. If you must, do not handle them with bare hands (use gloves or plastic bags).
• Keep your pets rabies vaccinations up-to-date. A bat is often discovered when a family pet has been found playing with it. If the bat tests positive for rabies and the pet is not vaccinated, it is recommended that the pet be euthanized. Otherwise the pet must be placed under strict quarantine at a location acceptable to the Muskegon County Health Department for 6 months and observed for signs of rabies infection.
• Bat-proof your home in the fall or winter. Any opening larger than a quarter-inch by half-inch should be covered or caulked. Common bat entry points include the chimney, vents, and under siding, eaves or loose shingles.

To safely capture a bat inside your home for rabies testing: (source: CDC)

***Be careful not to damage the head. Rabies testing is done on the brain.***

What you will need:

• leather work gloves
• small box or coffee can
• piece of cardboard
• tape

     
Put on the leather work gloves. When the bat lands, approach it slowly. Place the box or coffee can over it. Slide the cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside. Tape the cardboard to the container securely, and punch small holes in the cardboard, allowing the bat to breathe.

If the bat is dead, pick up the bat (while wearing gloves) and place it in a heavy-duty plastic bag and refrigerate it. Do not freeze it.

To submit a captured bat for rabies testing:

Only bats discovered inside of a home where a person may have been exposed (bitten/scratched) will be tested for rabies. Bats found outside of a home will not be tested.

To have a bat tested for rabies, please bring the bat to the Vector Control office located at 1300 East Keating Avenue in Muskegon. Vector Control is open Monday-Friday from 8:00-Noon and 1:00-5:00 pm. They can be reached by calling (231) 724-6007. If you capture the bat after Vector Control's working hours, please contact them the next business day.

If you are bitten or scratched by a bat:

• Immediately wash the wound with plenty of soap and water.
• If possible, capture the bat so that it can be tested for rabies (see above).
• Report the incident to us by calling 724-1204.
• Go to your family doctor or the nearest emergency room.
  • Some people are afraid to seek treatment because they have heard it involves a series of painful shots to the stomach. This is no longer true.
• Rabies treatment (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, also called PEP) is highly effective in preventing rabies in people possibly exposed to a rabid animal, if administered before symptoms develop.
• If the bat tests negative for rabies, then PEP is not necessary.

Bats have very small teeth, and often a bat bite may not be felt. Therefore, if you are unsure about whether or not you have been exposed (for example: you had been sleeping and awoke to find a bat in your room), please call 724-1204 for assistance.

Removing bats or wildlife-proofing your home:

For assistance with removing bats or with wildlife-proofing your home, please check with area nuisance animal control businesses.

Disclaimer: The following individuals have current DNR-issued Wildlife Damage and Nuisance Animal Control Permits. These individuals are not certified by the DNR and their inclusion in this list does not constitute endorsement.

ADC

Richard Porteen
17110 White Rd, Bailey, MI 49303
Phone: (616) 675-7690
NO BATS OR MOLES, any other nuisance animals

  

Herbie's Nuisance Animal Control

Jeffery Herbert
1959 S. Mill Iron, Muskegon, MI 49442
Phone: (231) 329-1821
Bats, any nuisance animals

  

Jack's Animal Control

Jack Byers
PO Box 56, Fruitport, MI 49415
Phone: (231) 865-7921
Bats, any animals, will inspect & repair

  

West Michigan Wildlife Control

Nate Southworth
Phone: (231) 578-1421
Bats, any nuisance animals

  

A complete list of these businesses by County is available on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website.

Additional Information

Michigan Rabies Brochure

Rabies Information

Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

Vector Control

Animal Bite Investigation

Dog Bite Prevention