Dr. Krista Edelman, a gastroenterologist in Richmond, Virginia, recounted a terrifying experience where she awoke to find a bat attempting to enter her mouth. In a post shared on Instagram, Edelman described initially feeling a slimy, hairy, and cool sensation against her lips, mistaking it for a dream about a mouse.
"I reach up to my mouth ... and then I touch something that is kind of slimy and a little hairy and cool," she said. She soon realized it was a bat actively trying to get past her teeth. After throwing the bat across the room, she and her husband captured it to be tested for rabies. "I knew we were supposed to try to catch this bat so it can actually be tested and see if there are rabies in its brain," Edelman stated.
While most bats are healthy and avoid human contact, the summer months can see them seeking cooler environments within homes, potentially leading to encounters. Bats can transmit dangerous diseases, including rabies, which is responsible for a significant portion of rabies deaths in the U.S. Untreated rabies can cause severe neurological damage and is fatal. Fortunately, a post-exposure rabies vaccine series and immunoglobulin are highly effective if administered shortly after exposure.
In Edelman's case, the bat tested negative for rabies. However, due to direct contact and her prior unvaccinated status, she underwent the rabies vaccine series and received immunoglobulin as a precautionary measure.
Edelman emphasized the importance of a public service announcement, urging homeowners, especially those in older houses, to check attics and chimneys for bats. She advised that if anyone wakes up with a bat in the room and is unsure if contact occurred, they should seek immediate medical advice rather than assuming they are unharmed. Bat bites can be small and go unnoticed.
Experts recommend treating any encounter as a potential exposure if a bat is found in a sleeping area, especially involving children or individuals who may not report the incident. If a bat is suspected to have made contact, it should never be touched with bare hands. Instead, it should be gently captured in a container, such as a bucket, while wearing thick gloves. The captured bat should have air holes, and then be secured for testing by the state health department, which can determine the need for medical intervention.
Preventative measures include sealing small openings, as bats can enter through gaps as small as 1/4 inch, particularly around attics. Homeowners are advised to use caulk, screens, and steel wool to seal potential entry points and ensure all windows and doors are securely closed. Contacting animal control or wildlife conservation services can also assist with bat-proofing a home.