Positive Rabies Exposure Confirmed in Ross County Bat

Chillicothe, OH – The Ross County Health District (RCHD) has confirmed a case of rabies in a bat found in Liberty Township on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The bat was tested by the Ohio Department of Health laboratory and confirmed positive for rabies. Two owned dogs were exposed to the bat. At this time, no known human exposures have been identified.

Rabies is spread or transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal to another animal or human. Usually, this happens through a bite that breaks the skin or contact with saliva into an open scratch or wound. On very rare occasions, it has been documented that it can be spread if someone’s eyes, nose or mouth comes in contact with saliva of a rabid animal.

In Ohio, the most common animals to have rabies are bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes. Bats are known to be a higher risk for rabies in Ross County compared to other species. Exposures to bats can occur in many ways including direct contact such as handling a bat, having a bat hit or fly into you or seeing marks on your skin after coming in contact with a bat, unknown contact with a bat such as waking up and seeing a bat in the room with you, or finding a bat near a young child either outside or in a room or building.

Residents can reduce their risk of rabies by keeping pets up to date on rabies vaccinations, avoiding contact with wildlife, especially animals known to commonly carry rabies, and reporting unusual wildlife behavior or possible pet exposures.

If you feel you have been exposed to a bat or bitten by a bat, please seek immediate medical attention at a local emergency room and explain the possible exposure. If a bat is available for testing, it is important not to damage the head. Anyone needing guidance on bat capture or rabies testing should contact the Ross County Health District Environmental Health Division at 740-775-1158. To reduce the risk of exposure, residents should avoid handling live or dead bats and contact a licensed wildlife professional if bats are found in the home.

The Ross County Health District held a rabies vaccination clinic for cats and dogs on Saturday, May 16 in Yoctangee Park, Chillicothe, from 2pm to 4pm. Twenty-six pets were vaccinated at the event staffed by RCHD Environmental Health Division employees and community volunteers. RCHD plans to hold an additional rabies vaccine clinic in the fall season of 2026. Additional event information will be released as plans are finalized.

For more information about RCHD’s Animal Bites/Rabies Program, visit www.rosscountyhealth.org or call RCHD’s Environmental Health Division at 740-775-1158.

Volunteers vaccinate a dog at RCHD’s May 16 rabies vaccine clinic in Yoctangee Park.

Volunteers prepare to vaccinate a pet at RCHD’s rabies vaccine clinic.

Volunteers and RCHD staff prepare to vaccinate at pet at RCHD’s May 16 rabies vaccine clinic.

Volunteers prepare to vaccinate a dog at RCHD’s rabies vaccine clinic.

RCHD’s Environmental Health Division employees staffed the May 16 vaccine clinic in Yoctangee Park. (L-R) Registered Environmental Health Specialist Liranda McCain, Registered Environmental Health Specialist Chris Carver, Environmental Health Technician Maria Menendez, Administrative Assistant Tara Jones, Environmental Health Director Kelly Spindler

(L-R) RCHD’s Registered Environmental Health Specialist Chris Carver, Public Health Nursing Director Morgan Kelley, Environmental Health Director Kelly Spindler, Environmental Health Technician Maria Menendez, Registered Environmental Health Specialist Liranda McCain at RCHD’s May 16 rabies vaccine clinic.

More information:

Animal Bites / Rabies – Ross County Health District

Rabies and Animal Bites | Ohio Department of Health

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About the Ross County Health District

The Ross County Health District (RCHD), founded in 1979, is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board that works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Ross County. RCHD is governed by a seven-member board of health and consists of four divisions: Public Health Nursing, Environmental Health, Health Promotion, and Quality Improvement, and Administration. Learn more about the Ross County Health District at RossCountyHealth.org. For more information, please contact Sara Smith at sksmith@RossCountyHealth.org