State reports rate human death from rabies: Bats in Minnesota can have rabies
Health officials are reminding people that bats in Minnesota can have rabies and there are steps to take if you have potential contact with a bat.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is investigating a human rabies death in a person over 65 years of age, who had exposure to a bat in western Minnesota in July 2024. This is Minnesota’s fourth case of human rabies since 2000. The diagnosis of rabies was confirmed on September 20, based on testing done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta.
MDH is working with the patient’s family and healthcare facilities where the patient was treated to evaluate whether any family members or healthcare workers were potentially exposed and need treatment. There is no risk to the public from this patient.
This case is an important reminder that bats in Minnesota can have rabies and that the public should avoid contact with bats.
If a person has any physical contact with a bat or finds a bat in the room of a sleeping person, unattended child or anyone who cannot reliably communicate what happened, the bat should be captured safely and submitted for rabies testing. A bat’s teeth are so tiny that a bite may not be felt or even leave a noticeable mark....