Stay calm. Most bats that get inside a home are not trying to hurt anyone. They are usually confused and looking for a way out.

• Keep people and pets away from the bat. Move children, dogs, and cats out of the room.
• Close inside doors. Try to keep the bat in one room.
• Turn off ceiling fans. Fans can injure the bat and make it harder to handle the situation safely.
• Do not touch the bat with your bare hands.

Check out a step-by-step guide from the CDC

1. Find a container like a box or jar large enough for the bat to fit in.
2. Locate a piece of cardboard large enough to cover the container opening.
3. Punch small air holes in the cardboard.
4. Put on leather work gloves.
5. When the bat lands, approach it slowly and put the container over it.
6. Slide the cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside.
7. Tape the cardboard to the container to secure the bat inside.
8. If you need help catching the bat safely, contact a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator.

• Call your local health department for guidance. They can help determine whether anyone may have been exposed to rabies and whether the bat should be tested.
• If you find a bat at night or over the weekend, contact your local health department when they next open. It is important to follow up soon, but you usually do not need to go to the emergency room just because a bat was found in the home.
• Keep the bat contained and do not release it until you have spoken with a public health professional. If no one was exposed, they can advise you on the safest next steps.

• Your local health department

  For help evaluating potential rabies risk. If needed, they will submit wildlife to the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) for rabies testing. If your local health department is closed, call back once they reopen.

• Department of Public Health, Infectious Diseases Branch: 860-509-7994

  For questions about human rabies exposures (e.g. risk assessment, treatment).

• State Public Health Laboratory: 860-920-6662

  For questions about submission of animals involved in human exposures for testing (e.g. packaging, forms).

• The Department of Agriculture, Animal Control Division: 860-713-2506

  For questions about domestic animals (e.g. biting incidents, animal quarantine, animal vaccination).

• The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division: 860-424-3011

  For questions about wildlife (e.g. biting incidents, wildlife management, rehabilitation).

• Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory : 860-424-3738

  For questions concerning submission of animals for rabies testing where there is no significant human exposure (e.g. packaging, forms).

• Please contact your local Police Department if prompt assistance is needed.

Rabies Testing

Rabies Examination Forms are intended for use by authorized professionals only. These may include:

• Animal control officers
• Environmental conservation police officers
• Healthcare providers
• Local health directors
• Police officers
• Veterinarians

The professional submitting the form will receive the rabies test results and can provide guidance about whether an animal should be submitted for testing.

Members of the general public should not complete or submit this form. If you have questions about a possible rabies exposure, contact the Bridgeport Health Department, your healthcare provider, or local animal control.

• Request a Rabies Examination Form (PDF)
• Instructions for Submitting Specimens for Rabies Testing (PDF)

Human Rabies Vaccination After an Exposure

Connecticut does not require state approval before a healthcare provider administers rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). The decision to begin PEP is made by the patient’s healthcare provider based on the circumstances of the exposure and current CDC recommendations.

Public health officials are available to help healthcare providers assess possible rabies exposures, interpret public health guidance, and consult with the CDC when needed.

CDC Rabies Vaccine and PEP Resources

• Rabies Vaccine Recommendations
• Use of a Modified Vaccination Schedule to Prevent Human Rabies
• Use of a Reduced (4-Dose) Vaccine Schedule to Prevent Human Rabies
• Rabies Prevention Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
• CDC Rabies PEP Calculator

The CDC Rabies PEP Calculator can help healthcare providers develop an initial vaccination schedule and evaluate situations in which a patient has received doses outside the recommended schedule.