A bat collected from a Kirkwood home on April 16 later tested positive for rabies, according to St. Louis County public health officials. The county confirmed the lab result this week and reported that no one in the home had any known bites or other clear exposures. It is the first bat to test positive for rabies in St. Louis County this year, and health officials are reminding residents not to handle wild animals and to keep pets current on rabies vaccinations.
How the case was confirmed
St. Louis County animal-control officers removed the bat from the Kirkwood residence and sent it to a laboratory for testing, which came back positive, according to FOX 2. County communicable-disease staff then followed routine surveillance steps and alerted local partners once the positive result was confirmed.
What officials said
“A bat testing positive for rabies is a reminder to avoid contact with wildlife and to keep pets up to date on rabies vaccinations,” Dr. Kanika…..