Rabid Bat Flies into Wareham Home

WAREHAM — Authorities in Wareham are urging residents to make sure their pets' rabies shots are up to date after a rabid bat was found in a resident's home earlier this week.

The Wareham Department of Natural Resources says the agency was called to a home in the 200-block of Great Neck Road on Sunday, September 2, for a report of a bat inside of a home that had come into contact with a person.

WDNR officers were able to capture the bat. The animal was sent to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health - Rabies Laboratory for testing. Two days later, on Tuesday, September 4, WDNR was notified by DPH that the bat had tested positive for rabies and had been disposed of.

WDNR officials say this is the second confirmed case of a rabid bat in Wareham in 2018. The incident took place less than a week and within one mile of the first reported case.

WDNR says residents should make sure their pets are up to date with their rabies vaccine and are tagged accordinglty. Consult your veterinarian if you are unsure of your pets' vaccination status.

Residents with questions of a possible exposure, a bat inside a home, or to report an animal acting in a sickly fashion can call the Wareham Department of Natural Resources at 508-291-3100 x3180. After regular business hours, contact the Wareham Police Department at 508-295-1212.