On the heels of a rabid bat being found in Libby, federal and state officials are working to alert the public in dealing with possible exposure with rabid animals.

According to an Aug. 28 press release from Lincoln County Public Health, the rabid bat is the first confirmed rabies-positive bat reported this year in the county.

Health department officials said there was no human exposure, but the possibility existed for a potential animal exposure.

Residents are reminded to take precautions around bats and make sure pets are current on their rabies vaccinations.

Protect yourself, your family and your pets

Bat-proof your home: Seal small holes in siding or roofing, cap chimneys, install screens on windows and vents, and keep doors to the outside fully closed.

Vaccinate your pets: Make sure dogs, cats and other pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Vaccination could save your pet's life.

Use protective clothing: When cleaning an attic, barn, outbuilding or cabin where bats may be present, wear leather gloves, long sleeves and pants, and a wide-brimmed hat.

Officials advise people to never handle a bat with bare hands. Only attempt to capture a bat if it has had direct contact with a person or pet, was found in a room where someone was sleeping, or was in a room with a child. If a bat may have had contact with a person or pet, contact Lincoln County Public Health for guidance before releasing it.

They also said only a small percentage of bats carry rabies and bats play an important role in the environment,  consuming large numbers of insects such as mosquitoes each evening and some species are also important pollinators.

Residents who have questions or believe they or a pet may have been exposed to a bat should contact Lincoln County Public Health for guidance at 406-283-2467.

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory in response to recent reports of increases in human exposures to rabid or possibly rabid animals and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) administration errors. 

Since July 2026, several areas in the United States have reported local increases in human rabies exposures involving known rabies vectors or animals in which rabies is less commonly reported. 

Several high-profile rabies outbreaks and mass rabies exposures have highlighted the importance of performing careful rabies risk assessments and following evidence-based recommendations for administering PEP. 

Rabies is a viral illness that is almost universally fatal, however it can be prevented when post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is given in a timely manner. PEP includes wound care, human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and a four-dose vaccine series.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services tracks rabies-positive animals, rabies cases in humans and recommendations for or administration of rabies PEP to humans. 

This year, the Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MVDL) has tested 554 animals for rabies, exceeding the usual number submitted. Animals submitted for rabies testing come from throughout Montana, with potential rabies exposure to humans (or animals) after exposure to the mammal. 

On average, approximately 200 individuals in Montana are recommended to receive rabies PEP each year. However, in 2025 and 2026, the number of people recommended for rabies PEP has increased. 

So far in 2026, the state health department has recorded 356 individuals for whom rabies PEP was administered or recommended. In 2026, 13 animals, all bats, tested positive for rabies at MVDL, which is within average. Bats are the animal most often infected with rabies in Montana. Of 70 animals testing positive for rabies in Montana since 2023, 67 (96%) were bats, two (3%) were skunks, and one (1%) cattle. 

Montana uses a 3-step rabies management system, which includes the following: 

- Observe the animal if appropriate. This applies to domestic dogs, cats, and ferrets only. 

- Test the animal if it fails observation or observation is not appropriate.

- Recommend PEP for humans and animals exposed if the test result is positive or unsuitable. This is also for when the animal is not available for testing and it is assumed positive.

Recommendations for the Public 

- All animal bites should be treated by a medical provider to assess for wound management, tetanus vaccination status, and infectious disease risk (including rabies);

- Keep your animals up to date on rabies vaccinations;

- Avoid encounters with animals, especially wild or sick looking ones;

- If you are bitten by an animal, try to capture it if it is safe to do so. Contact your local veterinarian and

health department for next steps (observation or testing).

• If a bat is found deceased in the house, it can be submitted to the MVDL using their portal at https://liv.mt.gov/Diagnostic-Lab/index.