The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday that a handful of bats have tested positive for rabies so far this year.

With midsummer marking the start of bats’ most active season in Maine (ending in early September), the agency shared precautions people should take should they be exposed to the flying mammals.

How many bats have tested positive for rabies in Maine?

As of July 17, the Maine CDC has tested 353 animals this year, just over half of them bats.

Five bats have tested positive for rabies, the agency reported Wednesday, one in each of the following counties: Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Penobscot and Somerset.

In 2025, the Maine CDC tested 730 animals, more than 340 of them bats. Seven bats tested positive for rabies that year.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has a rabies dashboard on its website with data on bats and other animals that have been tested.

About 4,000 animals in the United States test positive for rabies each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 35% of them bats.

How common is rabies in humans?

Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in Maine and the nation as a whole.

One to three cases of human rabies are reported in the United States each year, according to the U.S. CDC. However, according to the federal agency, about 1.4 million people seek healthcare for potential rabies exposure in the United States each year.

Maine has not reported a human case of rabies since 1937, according to the Maine CDC.

Rabies can be prevented after exposure with post-exposure prophylaxis. About 100,000 Americans receive post-exposure prophylaxis each year, according to the CDC.

How do animals spread rabies?

Animals spread rabies through bites and sometimes scratches, according to the Maine CDC. It can also spread through contact with an infected mammal’s brain or spinal cord.

Rabies does not spread through blood, urine, feces, dried saliva or skunk spray, the Maine CDC said.

When should I take precautions?

The Maine CDC notes that it’s not always easy for someone to confirm whether they have come into contact with a bat, and not all infected animals show signs of rabies.

Beyond bites and scratches, the agency says humans should be wary of exposure when they or others are incapacitated. That includes waking up and finding a bat in their room; or locating bats in the vicinity of those who may not be able to say whether they’ve come into contact, such as young children.

It’s also recommended to keep a close eye on pets and livestock, and take precautions if they’ve been in a confined space with bats (like a room or barn) or you find a bat in their mouth.

What should I do if I’ve been exposed to a bat?

If you think a person or animal may have been exposed to a bat, the Maine CDC provides several steps to take.

The first, if possible, is to safely capture the bat.

If you can manage that, the next step is to contact the Maine Warden Service to get it tested for rabies. If a warden is not available, the Maine CDC suggests contacting your local Animal Control Officer to arrange a test.

If you have been bitten or scratched by a bat, the Maine CDC advises washing the area with soap and warm water for 10 to 15 minutes and contacting a healthcare provider.

For pets and livestock that have come into contact with a bat, the agency says to consult a veterinarian and always keep up to date on their rabies vaccinations.