A rabid Brazilian free-tailed bat that turned up inside a home southwest of Lakeland has become Polk County’s second confirmed rabies case of 2026, turning a routine day into a public health scare. The homeowner reported one of his three dogs pawing at the bat last Wednesday, and lab testing confirmed on Tuesday that the animal was rabid. All three dogs are current on their rabies vaccinations and are now under a precautionary home quarantine.
How the case unfolded
Animal Control deputies collected the bat and delivered it to the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories in Tampa for diagnostic testing. Officials said the lab results confirmed the bat was rabid. According to Tampa Free Press, the case surfaced about two weeks after the county’s first confirmed rabies report of the year and, as of Tuesday afternoon, no additional cases had been reported.
What officials are saying
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd used the incident as a blunt reminder that rabies is no backyard myth.
"It is important to keep your pets vaccinated against rabies, but also important to keep your distance from wild animals, especially if they appear to be in distress, angry, or aggressive," Judd said, according to Tampa Free Press.
Officials are urging residents to call animal control if they spot wildlife acting strangely, rather than trying to shoo, catch, or rescue the animal themselves.
A two-week pattern
This is Polk County’s second rabies case involving a bat in as many weeks. Earlier this month, the county’s first confirmed rabies case of 2026 was logged after another bat tested positive in a separate incident in Lake Wales. WFTS/Tampa Bay 28 reported that deputies were called to the 1700 block of Masterpiece Road, where a resident found a dog standing over a bat. That bat was also sent to Tampa for testing.
Rabies in Polk County
Rabies is not new to Polk County. Local surveillance data show five confirmed animal rabies cases in 2024, including three bats, which is part of why agencies stay on high alert. The Florida Department of Health maintains county-level monitoring that helps guide quarantine decisions and public advisories when a new case pops up.
How to protect pets and people
Rabies is preventable, but once symptoms show up it is almost always fatal, the CDC notes. That is why quick action after any possible exposure is critical.
If you believe you or your pet may have been exposed to rabies, contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control at 863-577-1762, as advised by WFTS/Tampa Bay 28, and follow the guidance of your healthcare provider or veterinarian.
