Bat Bite & Rabies Exposure in Utah — What to Do Right Now
⚠️ Potential bat contact? Act immediately — do not wait for symptoms.
Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once neurological symptoms appear. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is effective but must begin before symptoms develop.
Immediate Steps
- Wash any wound immediately with soap and water for 15 full minutes
- Call your county health department — they manage rabies exposure and authorize PEP
- Go to an emergency room or call your doctor for evaluation
- Call us at (801) 675-8829 — we can capture the bat for testing, which may eliminate the need for PEP
What Counts as a Rabies Exposure in Utah
- Any bat bite, however minor or painless
- Any bat scratch that broke skin
- Bat saliva contact with open wound, eyes, or mucous membranes
- Waking up with a bat in your bedroom — you may have been bitten during sleep
- A bat found in a room with an unattended child
- A pet that caught or contacted a bat
Bat bites can be so small they leave no visible mark. If there’s any possibility of sleep exposure or child contact, treat it as a confirmed exposure.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
PEP is a series of vaccines and immunoglobulin injections — nearly 100% effective when started promptly. For unvaccinated individuals: RIG (one dose) + rabies vaccine (4 doses over 14 days). Cost: $3,000–$10,000+ — health insurance typically covers it. Once symptoms appear, there is no treatment. PEP must begin before symptoms.
Capturing the Bat for Testing
A negative rabies test on the bat means no PEP needed. Do not release the bat if any exposure is possible. Cover it with a box, slide cardboard underneath, keep it contained, and contact your county health department. Need help? Call us: (801) 675-8829.
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Utah Wildlife Specialists — Same-day bat capture for testing. UDWR Licensed. All of Utah.
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