The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is alerting residents to a recent increase in reported bat encounters and reminding the public that bats can carry rabies, a 100% fatal and 100% preventable disease. Any potential contact between a bat and a person or pet should be treated as a possible exposure.
Erie County residents with concerns about a scratch or bite from any animal, including bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes or domestic pets, can call (716) 961-6800. Bats are the most common animal found to have rabies in Erie County, but they are also the most easily caught and tested. In recent years, raccoons, skunks, woodchucks, foxes and cats have tested rabies positive.
Cattaraugus County Health Department at 716-373-8050 during normal weekday hours, or call 1-800-251-2584 for after-hours public health emergencies.
For more info: https://ow.ly/tSG850Zz1oN
Short video on how to safely catch a bat: https://ow.ly/8BAG50Zz1oL
