Franklin County health officials are sounding the alarm after an unusual spike in bat bites and exposures in June, with 18 incidents reported and a clear message to residents: treat any contact with a bat as a serious medical concern.
The Franklin County Health Department logged 18 bites and exposures from bats in June, director Tony Buel told the Missourian. County officials say that total is higher than the number recorded in the previous 13 Junes combined and follows single-exposure counts in June 2024 and June 2025, according to the report.
Why officials are concerned
Rabies is rare in people but almost always fatal if it is not treated before symptoms appear, so public-health teams do not take potential exposures lightly. The CDC notes that bat bites can be so small and painless that people may not realize they have been bitten. Anyone who might have had contact, including someone who wakes up to find a bat in the room, should be evaluated promptly for post-exposure prophylaxis.
The surge in Franklin County is part of a broader regional concern. The Jefferson County Health Department reported its first confirmed rabid bat of 2026 in late April, and local departments say testing suspected animals helps determine who needs treatment and who does not.
How to handle a bat encounter
If you find a bat indoors and anyone in the room could have been exposed, especially a sleeping person, a young child or someone who cannot communicate clearly, officials say to act quickly but carefully. If it can be done safely, isolate the bat and contact animal control or your local health department for guidance. If the animal can be captured without any direct contact, preserve it for testing; medical providers will then perform a risk assessment and may recommend post-exposure prophylaxis, which typically includes human rabies immune globulin and a series of rabies vaccines, according to the CDC.
Protect pets and seal your home
Officials also urge residents to keep dogs, cats and ferrets current on rabies vaccinations and to avoid letting pets roam unsupervised where they might tangle with wildlife. The Missouri Department of Conservation recommends practical home-protection steps, from sealing small entry points to installing chimney caps and using timed one-way exclusion methods after pup season, to cut down the chances of bats moving into attics and living spaces.
Franklin County officials said they are monitoring the situation and will update the public if testing results or exposure counts change. Residents who are worried about a possible exposure are urged to contact the Franklin County Health Department or their medical provider right away for a risk assessment.
