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| source : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUhBWZMTUKs |
If you’re like most of us, bats probably aren’t high on your “things to worry about today” list. But if you live in Weber or Morgan counties, health officials are gently saying: maybe they should be.
Earlier this week, a bat found in Morgan County, Utah tested positive for rabies, marking the first confirmed case in the state this year. While one rabid bat might not sound like a big deal, experts say it’s a clear reminder to stay alert, especially as temperatures rise and wildlife gets more active.
As someone who’s spent the past hour deep-diving into official CDC guidance, World Health Organization data, and state health alerts (yes, I’m that person), here’s what you really need to know, no panic, just prep.
Wait, Are Bats Really That Dangerous?
Well, yes and no.
According to Amy Carter, a communicable disease nurse with the Weber-Morgan Health Department, most bats are actually harmless and super important to our ecosystem. They help with pest control and pollination and mostly mind their own business.
BUT, and it’s a big but, if you see a bat during the day or in a place where you or your pet could touch it (like your yard or porch), Carter says, that’s a red flag.
“There's a good chance it’s ill,” she explained. And unfortunately, when bats get sick, rabies is often the culprit.
Why Rabies Is Such a Big Deal
Rabies is no joke. Once symptoms show up, the virus is almost always fatal. both in animals and humans.
It attacks the brain and nervous system, and spreads through the saliva of infected animals, usually from a bite or scratch, or even a tiny nip you didn’t notice. This is why health officials treat any potential exposure to a bat seriously, especially if it happened while you were asleep.
(Side note: The virus is not spread through feces, urine, or blood. So don’t panic if you saw a bat poop on your deck.)
What’s the Risk in Utah?
In Utah, bats are the #1 carriers of rabies. Skunks, foxes, raccoons, and unvaccinated pets can carry it too, but here? Bats are the main concern.
Last year, a bat in Pioneer Park tested positive, and local officials said multiple people may have handled it, without realizing the risk.
This year, Weber-Morgan health officials want to get ahead of that. If you’re a Utah local (or just visiting), here’s what they’re asking you to do:
5 Things You Should Do to Stay Safe from Rabies
🟢 Keep your pet’s rabies shots up to date.
Double-check with your vet. Print it. Screenshot it. Keep it somewhere handy.
🟢 Avoid touching wild animals, especially bats.
If you see one acting odd (awake during the day, moving slow, lying on the ground), call animal control ASAP. Don’t DIY the rescue.
🟢 If you get scratched or bitten, act fast.
Wash the wound with soap and water immediately, and get to a doctor. Post-exposure shots work, but they only help if you get them quickly.
🟢 Report bat encounters in bedrooms.
Even if there’s no bite, the CDC treats it as a potential exposure because bat bites can be so small you don’t feel them.
🟢 Don’t try to move a bat yourself.
If containment is possible without risk, okay, but always call the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources so the bat can be tested.
Why This Matters (Even If You’re Not a Pet Owner)
Rabies might seem like an old-school disease, but it’s still around, and still deadly. An average of 10 people die from rabies every year in the U.S., mostly because they didn’t realize they were exposed until it was too late.
And when it comes to your pets, a simple rabies vaccination could be the difference between a minor incident and something tragic. It also protects you, because if your pet comes into contact with a rabid animal and isn’t vaccinated, you could be facing hard choices (and heartbreaking outcomes).
Final Thought: Awareness > Panic
Look, no one’s saying you should be afraid to go outside. But it is a good idea to pay attention, especially if you live in a place like Utah, where bat encounters are part of the landscape.
I’ll end with this quote from Amy Carter, because it really sums things up:
“Vaccination is important because it is how we prevent rabies in our cats and dogs. It saves time and heartache if your pet is involved in a biting incident or comes in contact with a rabid bat or other animal.”
Couldn’t agree more.