DOTHAN, Ala. — A dead bat found on a homeowner’s back porch in Houston County has tested positive for rabies, according to officials from the Houston County Health Department (HCHD). The bat, discovered north of Cottonwood on Elm Street, was brought to the attention of the health department after the homeowner reported that her cats had come into contact with the animal.
Environmental Supervisor Keith Hicks confirmed that the HCHD received the call on Tuesday, after which the bat was sent for testing. The results came back positive for rabies on Wednesday, prompting the department to take immediate action.
Fortunately, the homeowner’s cats were up to date on their rabies vaccinations. As a precaution, the health department advised the pet owner to administer a rabies vaccine booster shot to the cats. This was done to ensure the animals were fully protected against the virus.
In a statement, the health department reminded local pet owners that Alabama state law requires all dogs and cats over three months of age to be vaccinated against rabies. This case marks the first rabies-related incident in Houston County this year, although earlier this month, a dog in Troy also tested positive for the disease.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is typically transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. The HCHD urges residents to be cautious when encountering wildlife and to immediately report any unusual animal behavior.
For more information on rabies prevention and to ensure pets are properly vaccinated, residents are encouraged to contact the Houston County Health Department.
