TOWN OF GREEN VALLEY (NBC 26) — A wild bat has tested positive for rabies in Shawano County, according to the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department (SMCHD).
According to SMCHD, the bat was found in the Town of Green Valley after an encounter with a family pet. The last report of a rabid animal in Shawano County was also a wild bat in 2023.
The SMCHD would like to remind neighbors of what they can do to protect themselves from rabies:
• Ensure all pet dogs, cats, ferrets, and livestock are vaccinated against rabies.
• Stay away from all wild animals, especially those acting abnormally.
• Do not keep exotic or wild animals as pets, regardless of how young or cute they may be.
• Exclude bats from inside living quarters by keeping screens in good repair and closing up any small openings that could allow them to enter.
• Teach children not to approach any unfamiliar animals.
If you are bitten or scratched, SMCHD recommends that you follow these steps:
• Promptly cleanse the bite wound with liberal amounts of soap and water.
• Contact your physician or go to your local emergency room.
• If the offending animal can be safely captured without further injury, hold the animal until the local health department can be consulted.
"Wild animals are a particular risk. Bats and skunks are the most commonly reported animals with rabies in Wisconsin and can expose domestic animals and people," the SMCHD warns. "Any exposure, bite or non-bite, to bats should be discussed as soon as possible with your physician or your local health department. If your pet has been in a fight with a wild animal, please contact your veterinarian and local health department."
For more information about rabies in animals, please contact the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department at 715-526-4808 or visit their website by clicking here.
