Immediate and thorough washing of all bite wounds and scratches with soap and water is probably the most effective measure for preventing rabies. If a bat has bitten a person or pet, it should be captured, without destroying the head, and placed in a cloth or plastic bag. Dead bats should be shipped under refrigeration to the nearest health laboratory for examination. Prevention of exposure to rabies Most rabies exposures could be avoided if people simply refrained from handling animals, whether it be a bat, cat, or raccoon. Because there have been a few confirmed bat-transmitted rabies deaths in humans, bitten persons are routinely treated to prevent rabies.
Treatment is discontinued only if the bat can be shown to be rabies free.
Pets that have been bitten and not received antirabies vaccination are either quarantined or destroyed. Unprovoked bat attacks on humans are extremely rare, despite exaggerated stories which become passed around. Bites usually are defensive, occurring when people handle sick or moribund bats. Inexperienced people should never touch any wild animal with bare hands. Bats can be picked up with gloves, forceps, or a stick.