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A deceased bat recently found outside a residence in Okolona (40219) has 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. Bats that are active during the day or are unable to fly might be suspect for having rabies. In this instance, there does not appear to be any contact between the bat and any humans.
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 21 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 – 4 bats
“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, and 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.
Prevent bats from entering your home
To prevent bats from entering your home, carefully examine your home for holes that might allow bats to enter the residence. Any openings larger than a quarter-inch by a half-inch could allow for bat entry. These openings should be blocked either with stainless steel wool or caulking in the fall or winter so you do not unintentionally trap bats within your home.
Common ways for bats to enter homes include down the chimney, through openings around the chimney, through vents, through openings behind shutters, under doors, under siding, under eaves and under shingles.
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 you have general questions regarding bats or rabies, contact the LMPHW Rabies Prevention Program at 502-574-6640.
So far this year, no confirmed human cases of West Nile have been reported in Jefferson County.
In most instances, people infected with West Nile virus either show no symptoms or relatively mild symptoms. Less than 1% of infected people develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Serious illness can occur in people of any age. However, people over 60 years of age are at the greatest risk for severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and people who have received organ transplants are at greater risk for serious illness.
To make a complaint about mosquitos in your neighborhood call Metro311 by dialing 311 or 502-574-5000.
Avoid mosquito bites
Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection. To optimize safety and effectiveness, repellents should be used according to the label instructions. More information about insect repellents can be found here.
When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection. Don't apply repellents containing permethrin directly to your skin. Do not spray repellent on the skin under your clothing.
Take extra care during peak mosquito-biting hours of early morning and dusk. Be sure to use repellent and wear protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
Prevent mosquito breeding grounds
Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and drain birdbaths on a regular basis.
Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitos outside.
Louisville Metro Police are seeing an uptick trend in stolen vehicles, especially Dodge vehicles. They are seeing suspects, late at night, taking pictures of the vehicle's VIN number and then leaving the property. Then they create a key to that vehicle and return a night or a few nights later and steal the vehicle with the newly created key.
If you see this behavior taking place on your cameras, report it ASAP to the non-emergency line, 502-574-5673, so the police can watch these houses for suspects during the following nights when they attempt to come back and steal the vehicle.
A road closure will take place on Robbs Lane between Outer Loop and Gayeway Drive. This closure will occur July 28th, 9 am to 3 pm, and last only for one day. Please see the LOJIC and detours maps above.
A different concert will be held on select Fridays through August 8, 6 - 10 pm at Highview Park, 7122 Briscoe Ln, Louisville, KY 40228.
July 25th - An Evening with The Monarchs
A few of the faces have changed but the group has vigilantly preserved their unmistakable style. If you first heard The Monarchs in the '60s, or if you hear them 20 years from now, you'll hear the smooth vocal and instrumental sounds that made them what they are today.
The Monarchs are Louisville's Musical Ambassadors. But it is a wise group of musicians who also realize that a savvy audience will move on unless you continue leaving them wanting more. That's why their playlist includes the songs you grew up with and hits from today.
The event is open to the public, family friendly, and free. Local vendors and food trucks will be on hand with a variety of food options. People are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the show at Highview Park. Sponsored by local councilmembers.
Celebrate National Recreation and Parks Month this July at Art in the Park! Parks is again partnering with Kentucky Shakespeare to host this event at Central Park on Thursday, July 17 from 6-8 p.m. Find free arts and craft activities under the pergola in the park before the showing of Cymbeline on the amphitheater stage.
Make potions, leather keychains, flower crowns, beautiful beaded garden stakes and more. Kentucky Shakespeare will also have food trucks, Will's Tavern, Will's Gift Shop, Kids Globe and other entertainment.
Cymbeline Synopsis --A secret marriage changes the course of two ancient kingdoms. Don’t miss the mesmerizing, amusing and moving Cymbeline, Shakespeare’s late tale of love, loss and legacy.
Cymbeline is queen of ancient Britain. When her daughter secretly marries against her mother’s will, her spouse, Posthumus, is banished to Rome. In exile, Posthumus places a bet on the daughter's innocence, a gamble that is soon regretted.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (or simply E.T.) is a 1982 American science fiction film produced and directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Melissa Mathison. It tells the story of Elliott, a boy who befriends an extraterrestrial he names E.T. who has been stranded on Earth. Along with his friends and family, Elliott must find a way to help E.T. find his way home.
Join us for this edition of Hollywood Classics Under the Stars and this event is FREE!
July 22nd - Doors open at 7 pm and the movie starts at 8 pm
The Louisville Free Public Library’s newest resource, Sensory Kits, designed for Louisville’s neurodiverse youth population, strive to create a welcoming environment for everyone. And the Library’s latest service does just that. Curated to offer families and individuals the opportunity to explore sensory-friendly experiences in the library and at home, sensory kits aim to support sensory development, provide educational enrichment, and foster meaningful connections through play and exploration.
Made possible through a grant from the WHAS Crusade for Children, with additional funding from the Library Foundation, the Library now offers two types of sensory kits – one for use by families in the library and one to borrow for use at home.
In-library sensory kits are designed to help children regulate their sensory needs. Something as simple as a pair of noise-canceling headphones or a textured fidget toy can make all the difference in how a young person experiences the library, ensuring that every family can access the joy of hands-on learning regardless of sensory needs. In-library kits are available at all library locations and are equipped with noise-canceling headphones, wobble seats, sunglasses, and fidget toys.
Each of the Library’s take-home sensory kits represent a different theme—bedtime, animals, music, S.T.E.A.M., and textures—and include sensory toys, practical tools, engaging books, and helpful guides that suggest ways to fully enjoy and benefit from the materials. More than temporary tools, take-home kits empower families to try out resources before making a financial investment. These sensory kits can be borrowed for up to 21-days and can be reserved for checkout at any LFPL branch.
For more details and to reserve a sensory kit, go to SENSORY KITS..
Sign up for free spay/neuter for your dog, sponsored by Metro Council and EthanAlmighty. They will also offer microchip (if necessary) and rabies vaccine (if necessary).
Sgt. Sassy may have a tough name but this girl is a total sweetheart. At 5-years-old she was surrendered alongside 16 other pets after her caregiver lost their home and had no choice but to live in their car with their beloved animals. Despite the hardship, Sgt. Sassy has remained upbeat, resilient and full of love. Volunteers adore her for her stubby legs, cute ears, and beautiful markings. She’s a happy, social girl with excellent leash manners, a fun personality and a big heart.
She lived peacefully with both dogs and cats and would make a wonderful companion in a multi-pet household. Thanks to the BISSELL Pet Foundation, Sgt. Sassy’s adoption fee is fully waived so you can spend that money on toys, treats, and all the snuggles she’ll happily give you in return!
Visit Animal House today at 3516 Newburg Road, open daily noon–6 pm. Learn more and apply to adopt at linktree.com/yourcityshelter.
Matilda - There have been successful adoption stories when description of “grumpy” pets are a little too honest. I tried that approach for Matilda with awesome results. Matilda was featured on WDRB and WAVE with 1.6K likes plus almost 400 shares, except..she still isn’t adopted! Tis the season to adopt an unhinged cat and spend the rest of your life watching your back.
Matilda has had chance after chance, but she refuses to chill. Her diabolical adorableness will lure you in and then SNAP she’s back on bite quarantine. If you’re a nude homebody, proceed with caution. She sees exposed skin as an open invitation. Matilda’s charm is buried somewhere between her many personalities. There’s no telling if she’ll like you from one day to the next but take comfort - it’s her, not you.
SO a brave soul to adopt this tiny menace. If chaos is your love language, Matilda is your girl.
Visit Animal House today at 3516 Newburg Road, open daily noon–6 pm. Learn more and apply to adopt at linktree.com/yourcityshelter.
Joyce Barbour is a transfeminine multimedia artist with a focus in sound art and installation. Barbour's work explores the therapeutic possibilities of art, the idea of creativity as a communal effort, and storytelling through narrative landscapes. You can learn more about her work at one of her free workshops this month, or by visiting South Central Regional Libraryduring studio hours.
