A quiet evening turned into a medical emergency for one Kerrville resident after a bat with rabies bit him in his own backyard. The man’s case is the fourth confirmed rabies infection in Kerr County so far this year, and officials are warning the public that even common wildlife can turn dangerous fast.
A Bite Out of Nowhere
According to local health officials, the Kerrville man was sitting outside his home when a bat swooped down and bit him on the arm. The animal didn’t appear frightened, which was the first red flag. Rabid animals often behave strangely—they can be aggressive, confused, or completely fearless. Thankfully, the man wasted no time getting medical help and is currently undergoing post-exposure prophylaxis, a set of rabies shots that must be administered before symptoms appear.
If not treated right away, rabies is almost always fatal. Once a person starts showing symptoms—like confusion, hallucinations, or muscle spasms—there’s no effective cure. That’s why even one tiny bite can be a very big deal.
Kerr County’s Rabies Problem
This isn’t just a one-off event. Kerr County has seen a string of rabies cases, all involving bats. Four have already been confirmed in 2025, and last year the county recorded 16 total. What’s got officials especially concerned is that this latest bat was found in a public area, not deep in the woods or out on a trail. That means these kinds of encounters can happen almost anywhere.
“People think it’s rare, but rabies is still out there,” said one public health officer. “If your pets aren’t vaccinated, or if you try to help a sick-looking animal, you’re putting yourself at serious risk.”
What to Watch For
While most bats are harmless and help control insect populations, they’re also the most common carriers of rabies in Texas. It’s hard to tell if a bat is sick just by looking at it, but here are a few red flags:
- Bats fly during the day
- Trouble flying or crawling on the ground
- Seeming unafraid of humans or pets
- Frothing at the mouth or appearing disoriented
If you or someone you know finds a bat indoors—or worse, gets scratched or bitten—don’t wait. Call animal control and get to a doctor immediately. The virus is spread through saliva, and even a small scratch can be enough to transmit it.
Keep Your Family (and Pets) Safe
Officials say prevention is the best defense. Kerr County requires all cats and dogs to be vaccinated for rabies starting at four months of age. Pet owners who skip this can face harsh consequences—if your unvaccinated pet is exposed to a rabid animal, the state mandates either a 90-day quarantine or euthanasia.
Some tips from animal services:
- Vaccinate Your Pets – Don’t just assume they’re safe indoors.
- Don’t Touch Wildlife – Especially animals that seem “friendly” or out of place.
- Bat-Proof Your Home – Check attics, vents, and chimneys for any way in.
- Report Strange Animal Behavior – In Kerr County, call Animal Services at 830-257-3100.
Why Bats Are a Bigger Threat Than You Think
Though rabies can infect any mammal, bats account for the majority of human rabies cases in the U.S. People often don’t realize they’ve been bitten—a bat’s teeth are tiny, and the marks can be almost invisible. That’s why any physical contact with a bat, especially indoors while sleeping, should be treated as a possible exposure.
Texas isn’t new to this problem. The state has a high volume of rabies cases each year, with most involving skunks, raccoons, and bats. But unlike a skunk waddling across your yard, a bat can get inside your house undetected, especially if you leave windows open or have chimney gaps.
- Monster Turtle Surfaces in Midwest Backwater - June 13, 2025
- Runaway Zebra Airlifted After Wild Week in Tennessee - June 13, 2025
- Giant Wall-Climbing Crab Invades Pacific Northwest - June 12, 2025