LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville health officials are warning residents after two more bats with rabies were found in Jefferson County.

According to information from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW), one bat was found in August outside a home in St. Matthews in the 40207 zip code. Most recently a bat with rabies was found at a house in Buechel. 

Although rabid bats concern many people, neighbors we spoke with in Buechel, like Phil Hanley, weren't too concerned. He said he sees bats "almost every night, as long as it's a clear night, not raining and cloudy."

Hanley said the neighborhood is not crazy, maybe just a little batty, but that doesn't bother him because he said the bats serve a purpose. 

"They come out, or they fly around here, and they're just gorging on insects ... they're just gorging on insects."

Ciara Warren with Louisville's health department said three rabid bats have been found so far this year. "We had two in St. Matthews and one in Buechel," she said. 

Louisville health officials remind residents that people can get rabies from bats — through a bite or from its saliva. And if you do discover a bat, make sure you do not touch with it. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to rabid bats is the leading cause of rabies in humans in the United States.  

"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," according to Connie Mendel, Louisville's chief health strategist.

Mendel said sometimes people may not even know they've been bitten. 

"Someone may not realize they have been bitten by a bat because they have very sharp, tiny teeth," she said in a written statement. 

Nearly two dozen bats have tested positive for rabies in Jefferson County since 2019. Data from the Public Health and Wellness Lab shows that since 2019, nearly two dozen bats have tested positive for rabies in Jefferson County. 

The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, and without appropriate medical care, it can cause disease in the brain which can result in death. Preventative care after rabies exposure consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin and the rabies vaccine series.

Treatment is recommended for both bite and non-bite exposures. Once rabies symptoms begin, there is no treatment, in which case the disease is always fatal. 

Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, avoiding wildlife, and seeking medical care immediately if you think you've been you've been bitten or in contact with an animal with rabies. 

 If you encounter a bat in your home:

  • If possible, close the door to isolate the bat in the room.
  • Contact your doctor and LMPHW at 502-574-6650 right away. The health department will arrange for the bat to be collected and tested for rabies.
  • If you know you have been bitten or scratched by a bat:
    • Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
    • If the bat tests negative for rabies, you will not need post-exposure treatment.
  • If you do not know how the bat got into your home, you will also need to contact a bat remediation specialist to determine if bats are living in your home.

If your pet encounters a bat:

  • Contact LMPHW at 502-574-6650 or email publicfacilities@louisvilleky.gov. Your pet may need to be quarantined to ensure rabies is not transmitted. Please advise the health department if you choose to have your pet quarantined at another location besides your home.
  • If your pet bites or scratches someone during a rabies exposure quarantine, you must report the incident to .

If you have general questions regarding bats or rabies, contact the LMPHW Rabies Prevention Program at 502-574-6640 or CLICK HERE.

If you encounter a bat in your home, experts say you should stay away from it and contact the health department.

If you get bitten, you should wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, and seek medical attention immediately.

The CDC said exposure to rabid bats is the leading cause of rabies in humans.

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