JUNEAU — Dodge County Public Health has confirmed that a bat submitted for rabies testing following potential exposure to a dog has tested positive for rabies. No human exposures have been identified at this time.

What you need to know:

• Rabies still exists. In the U.S., over 90 percent of confirmed rabid animals are wildlife, most commonly bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Bats are the most frequently reported rabid species and are implicated in most U.S. human rabies cases.
• There is no cure once symptoms start. Rabies infection is nearly always fatal if a person does not receive medical treatment before symptoms appear. Post‑exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes wound washing, immunoglobulin, and a vaccine series, is highly effective when started promptly after exposure.

What to do now:

1. Keep your distance from wildlife. Never handle, feed, or approach wild animals, even if they seem friendly. Especially avoid animals that appear sick, injured, dead, unusually active during the day, or behaving strangely.
2. Protect your pets. Make sure dogs and cats are up to date on their rabies vaccinations. If your pet had possible contact with a wild animal or the bat in question, contact your veterinarian immediately, even if vaccination is current.
3. Practice hygiene. If you or your pet come into contact with a wild animal or its bodily fluids, wash any bite or scratch thoroughly with soap and water for at least 10-15 minutes. Seek medical care to determine if post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed.
4. Report exposures promptly. If someone or an animal is bitten, scratched, or otherwise potentially exposed to a wild animal, contact Dodge County Public Health promptly to determine next steps.
5. Keep wildlife wild. Teach children never to touch unfamiliar animals, stray pets, or dead wildlife. Never bring wildlife into your home, even temporarily.

Why this matters:

Every year in the U.S., tens of thousands of people receive post‑exposure rabies treatment, but fewer than 10 human rabies deaths occur, thanks to swift public health action and vaccines. If a bat is found indoors, especially near sleeping persons, young children, or pets, assume possible contact unless proven otherwise and consult Dodge County Public Health.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at Phone: 920-386-3670 | Email: publichealth@co.dodge.wi.us