 Friday, August 23, 2024
Bat tests positive for rabies in Louisville Metro
 A bat recently found outside a residence in the St. Matthews neighborhood, in the 40207 ZIP code, tested positive for rabies. The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) is reminding people to never touch a bat if they encounter one. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to rabid bats is the leading cause of rabies in humans in the United States.
Data from the Public Health and Wellness Lab shows that since 2019, at least 18 bats have tested positive for rabies in Jefferson County.
- 2019 – 4 bats
- 2020 – 2 (1 bat, 1 dog)
- 2021 – 7 bats
- 2022 – 3 bats
- 2023 – 2 bats
- 2024 – 1 bat
“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,” said Connie Mendel, Louisville’s chief health strategist. “Someone may not realize they have been bitten by a bat because they have very sharp, tiny teeth.”
The rabies virus infects the central nervous system. 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 fatal.
Rabies can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. In the United States, rabies is mostly found in wild animals including bats, skunks, racoons and foxes. In Kentucky, bats and skunks are the most common hosts of rabies.
Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets against the virus, avoiding wildlife, and seeking medical care immediately for potential exposure.
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 postexposure 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 us at LMPHW.
If you have general questions regarding bats or rabies, contact the LMPHW Rabies Prevention Program at 502-574-6640.
For more information about rabies and prevention tips, visit our rabies control page.
WIC program turns 50!
For five decades, the Women, Infants, Children program (WIC) has played a crucial role in promoting positive public health outcomes by advocating for access to nutritious food, providing breastfeeding support, highlighting health screenings,and referring clients to healthcare and social services.
At WIC, parents learn what to eat while pregnant or breastfeeding, and what to feed their growing kids. They also get WIC benefits that can be used at grocery stores to help them provide the right foods for their families.
The WIC program operated by the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness provides service to around 15,000 participants. The program has also seen breastfeeding rates among clients increase:
- A 19% increase in lactating parents who ever exclusively breastfed their babies
- A 12% increase in in breastfeeding rates among lactating parents who identify as Black/African American
- A 15% increase in breastfeeding rates among lactating parents who identify as Hispanic.
Watch our video on this remarkable program that improves the health of pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5.
Call us today to see if you and your children are eligible for WIC benefits, (502) 574-7975. You can also visit our website to learn more about our locations, WIC-eligible foods and shopping needs.
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Wellness Day puts Black men's health in the spotlight
 We invite you to visit our Communicable Disease Prevention booth at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Black Men's Wellness Day at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center, 3029 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
The event will feature a 5K walk/run and free health screenings. For more information, please scan the QR code or visit the African American Male Wellness Agency.
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