Media Contact: Dena Iverson (DOH)
(202) 340-7834  

Washington, DC—The District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH) is urging residents to avoid physical contact with wild animals, particularly bats. In recent weeks, the District has found that increased numbers of bats in homes are testing positive for rabies. Residents should inspect and “bat proof” their homes by closing windows and doors, repairing broken window screens and other points of entry such as loose shingles, vents and chimneys to prevent bats from entering their homes.  
 
A person is considered to have possible rabies exposure if:

• The person was bitten by an animal that either has rabies or is not available for rabies testing
• The person was bitten by a dog, cat or other animal that is unavailable for observation during a quarantine period, or not available for rabies testing
• The person may have had contact with a bat while sleeping or otherwise unaware of whether a bat bite may have occurred.        
  

Rabies is transmitted from animals to humans by a virus that attacks the central nervous system causing convulsions, paralysis and finally death. The virus is present in the saliva of a rabid animal and is transmitted primarily by animal bites. The virus can affect all warm-blooded animals, but it is most often found in wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. Dogs and cats may contract rabies if they have not been vaccinated against it. All mammals, including humans, are susceptible to rabies. 
 
If a person is bitten by a bat or gets infectious material, such as saliva from a bat in the eyes, nose, mouth or a wound, he or she should wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical advice immediately. Residents should immediately call animal control if a bat is found in the house. Residents should not attempt to capture the bat on their own.

Things you can do to help prevent the spread of rabies

Be a responsible pet owner:

• Keep vaccinations up-to-date for all dogs, cats and ferrets. This requirement is important not only to keep your pets from getting rabies, but also to provide a barrier of protection to you, if your animal is bitten by a rabid wild animal.
• Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for your pet immediately.
• Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. They may be unvaccinated and could be infected by the disease.     
• Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.

   
Avoid direct contact with unfamiliar animals:

• Enjoy wild animals (raccoons, skunks, foxes) from afar. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health.   Call animal control for assistance.
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. "Love your own, leave other animals alone" is a good principle for children to learn.
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.
• When traveling abroad, avoid direct contact with wild animals and be especially careful around dogs in developing countries.  Rabies is common in developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America where dogs are the major reservoir of rabies. Tens of thousands of people die of rabies each year in these countries. Before traveling abroad, consult with a health care provider, travel clinic, or your health department about the risk of exposure to rabies, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and how you should handle an exposure, should it arise.
  

What to do if a bat is in your house:

• Contact animal control for assistance by calling 311. 
• Contain the bat in the room. Close the windows. Close the door. 
• Leave the room after closing the door.
• DO NOT handle the bat. Wait for the animal control officer to assist.
• DO NOT release the bat. DOH may want to test the bat for rabies.
• Repair home to keep out bats and other wild animals.

         
To report incidents where wild animals are displaying unusual behavior, or to report a bat in the home, please call animal control at the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center 311.  

For information on rabies vaccinations or purchasing a dog license, please call the DOH Animal Disease Prevention Division at (202) 535-2323.