Historically bats were considered to carry rabies at a rate of nearly 1 in 10, making them a considerably important reservoir for the rabies virus. More recent sampling has shown the rabies prevalence in that populations is much lower than once thought, occurring in a small fraction of a percent of bats. In addition, some bad seem to harbor rabies at higher rates. less than 1% of big brown bats have been shown to test positive for rabies little brown bats are thought to harbor rabies at a much lower rate suggestion that they are not a significant reservoir for rabies variants.

Even though the percentages of bats carrying rabies is extremely small, the threat that rabies poses to people is very high, so it remains imperative that the threat any rabies vector species poses be well understood. Once someone begins showing signs for rabies, the virus has a near 100% mortality rate. (FOR THIS REASON, IF THERE IS ANY SUSPECTED CONTACT BETWEEN A BAT AND A NON-VACCINATED PERSON, THE BAT SHOULD BE CAPTURED, HUMANELY EUTHANIZED AND SUBMITTED FOR RABIES TESTING.)

This is not a disease carried by bats directly but a fungus that can grow in areas where there is a large accumulation of bat droppings. As it relates to bats, one of the most common sites is attic spaces containing large maternal colonies of bats. These bats can produce a significant number of droppings known as guano. The high nitrogen content provides a good growth medium for histoplasma fungus.

The spores to this fungus can become airborne when the droppings are disturbed and they're harmful if inhaled. People who are especially at risk are the elderly, children, or anyone with a compromised immune syste

We recommend that guano or droppings in an attic be handled with great care. If removing guano from an attic space, the use of a respirator is essential to reduce the risk of contracting this disease.

Any contact with a bat warrants submitting the bat for rabies testing. This means if a bat was in the same room as someone who is sleeping, inebriated, or otherwise impaired, or in the same room with an infant, or someone otherwise unable to communicate whether the bat had bitten them or not, or if someone was handling a bat without the use of thick leather gloves.

If you suspect contact with a bat, it is imperative that you catch the bat with the below guidelines:

• Close all doors and windows to isolate the bat

• Don’t take your eyes off the bat

• Always use gloves (preferably leather)

• Cover the bat with a coffee can or shoebox. Slip something over the top to trap the bat

• Call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services at (517) 335-8067 to find out how you can submit the bat for rabies testing

• You may also call your local health department and ask their procedures for rabies testing

• This should be done as soon as possible because if the bat is infected with rabies, any people who have had contact with the bat should be treated for rabies with a special post exposure vaccine. If administered soon after exposure, these vaccines are highly effective at protecting people against rabies infection.