Rabies in bats: how to spot it and report it
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-12)

Signs that may suggest rabies in bats, what to do if you spot them and measures to prevent exposing yourself to the disease.

It is possible, although rare, for a bat infected with rabies to pass the disease on to other mammals, including humans.

Rabies in bats is a notifiable animal disease (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/notifiable-diseases-in-animals). If you suspect it, you must report it immediately by:
- calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on xx-xxxx-xxxx in England
- calling xx-xxxx-xxxx in Wales
- contacting your local Field Services Office (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-apha#scotland-apha-field-services) in Scotland
Failure to do so is an offence.

Signs that a bat may have rabies

Infected bats may not show any signs of rabies. Infection can only be confirmed in a laboratory.

Clinical signs in bats may include:
- behaviour changes – infected animals are prone to more aggression
- disorientation and difficulty flying (infected bats may be injured as a result)
- eyes taking on a staring expression
How rabies is spread

Rabies is present in the saliva of infected bats and is usually spread by the bite of an infected bat.

The disease can also be spread if the saliva of an infected animal gets into open wounds or mucous membranes such as the nostrils, mouth and lips, eyelids and ears.

Risk to humans from infected bats

Humans can catch rabies from a bat, although this is very unusual as the disease is very rare among bats in Great Britain.

In humans, symptoms of the disease include:
- anxiety, headaches and fever in early stages
- spasms of the swallowing muscles, making it difficult or impossible to drink
- breathing difficulties
There are vaccinations against rabies, and the disease can normally be prevented if you are treated soon after exposure. But once signs of rabies appear, there is no treatment. Past human cases have been fatal.

Find out more about rabies in humans (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rabies/) and what to do if you are bitten by a bat (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rabies-risks-from-bat-bites/information-for-individuals-who-have-been-bitten-by-a-bat).

How to avoid catching rabies from a bat

You should be vaccinated against rabies if you regularly handle bats.

If you have not been vaccinated against the disease:
- assume that all bats are possible carriers of rabies
- avoid touching bats, living or dead, whenever possible
- if you must touch a bat, follow the Bat Conservation Trust guidance (https://www.bats.org.uk/advice/help-ive-found-a-bat) and wear thick gloves to avoid being bitten or scratched
If you are bitten or scratched by a bat

If you have been bitten or scratched by a bat, or exposed to bat saliva or nervous tissue in any other way, you must:
- wash the wound or contact area with soap and water
- disinfect the wound
- contact a doctor immediately, who will decide whether you need treatment
If you suspect rabies in a bat

If you suspect rabies in a bat or you see abnormal behaviour in a bat, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-apha).

APHA vets will investigate and may submit the bat for testing to see whether the signs were caused by rabies.

If you find a dead bat

If you find a dead bat:
- do not directly handle the bat if possible
- if you have to touch the bat, follow the Bat Conservation Trust guidance (https://www.bats.org.uk/advice/help-ive-found-a-bat/bats-in-need-of-rescue/contain-the-bat) and use thick gloves
- follow the Bat Conservation Trust guidance on what to do with the dead bat (https://www.bats.org.uk/advice/found-a-dead-bat)
If your pet finds a bat

It is possible, although very rare, for infected bats to pass rabies to other animals including pets.

If your pet catches a bat, keep your pet under observation.

If your pet falls sick or starts behaving unusually, you must contact your vet immediately. Your vet will tell APHA if they suspect your pet has rabies.

Monitoring rabies in bats in Great Britain

APHA tests dead bats submitted by the public (https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/bats-and-disease/bats-and-disease-in-the-uk/animal-plant-health-agency-passive-surveillance-programme) to monitor how widespread the disease is in Great Britain.

Only very few have tested positive in more than 15,000 tests since 1986, so the risk of catching rabies from a bat is very low.

Locations of infected bats in the UK

Once a positive case is confirmed, we will not publicise further incidents at the same site during that year’s ‘bat season’ – May to September.