Health Advisory on Rabid Bats in Kansas City

The Kansas City, Missouri Health Department has raised concerns about an uptick in human encounters with bats, alongside a rise in rabies cases among these animals. This has prompted officials to remind residents to be cautious.

Recently, on September 10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory indicating a surge in potential rabid animal exposures across the country since July. Local health agencies, including the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the KCMO Health Department, have echoed similar warnings, focusing particularly on bats.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, the medical director for infection prevention and control at the University of Kansas Health System, emphasized the critical nature of rabies, describing it as “100% fatal.” However, he noted that timely vaccination and treatment could save a person’s life. In his view, it’s essential to contact a local health department after any potential exposure to evaluate the rabies risk.

He also advised having professionals safely capture and remove bats from living areas since rabies spreads primarily through saliva, often via bites or scratches. Dr. Hawkinson explained that the rabies virus has a certain incubation period, which means there’s a window of time to act after exposure.

Marvia Jones, director of health at the KCMO Health Department, pointed out that the immunoglobulin needed for the initial rabies treatment is only available in emergency rooms. She shared a personal experience of waking up to a bat in her apartment, which led her to the ER for a rabies shot series.

Jones also highlighted the financial burden of treatment; her first round of shots cost an astounding $41,589.84 before insurance. During her visit, she received six shots, comprising both the immunoglobulin injection and the rabies vaccine.

It’s worth mentioning that bats can squeeze into surprisingly small spaces—likened to the size of a dime. In her case, Jones suspected the bat entered her room through a tiny gap in her window screen. Unfortunately, because she couldn’t get the bat tested, she had to continue with the remaining shots, which added more than $16,000 to her medical bills—although her out-of-pocket cost was significantly lower with insurance.

Interestingly, the KCMO Health Department has seen an increase of 52% in rabies vaccinations in 2026 compared to the previous year. Although the department does not administer the initial immunoglobulin shot, they are equipped to offer rabies vaccines for subsequent rounds. They also provide resources to manage the costs associated with these vaccinations, and animal control offers free bat capture services for testing, helping to potentially alleviate financial stresses for residents.

According to department data, seven bats tested positive for rabies in 2026, marking the highest number in over a decade. Jones noted that while they are not trying to incite fear, the health department aims to inform the community about the rising rabies activity while also advising on prevention measures for keeping bats out of homes.

For residents seeking guidance on handling bat encounters, further information is available on the KCMO Health Department’s website.