10/21/2026
KEY POINTS
-A bat found in northeast St. Joseph tested positive for rabies.
-No human exposure is currently suspected.
-Residents are advised to take precautions to protect themselves and pets.
The City of St. Joseph Health Department has been notified that a bat specimen submitted to the State Health Lab tested positive for the rabies virus following a potential exposure involving a puppy.
The health department submitted the specimen on October 19 for testing and was notified that it was positive for rabies on October 20. The potential exposure occurred on October 15.
The bat was found dead in a yard in the northeast part of St. Joseph and was picked up by a puppy, which carried the bat in its mouth. At this time, there is no reason to believe any human exposure occurred.
The puppy had not yet been immunized against rabies because it was younger than the recommended vaccination age. The health department has gathered the necessary information about the pets in the household and is working closely with the owners to provide guidance on appropriate observation and quarantine periods.
Although rabies is a serious public health concern, positive results are relatively uncommon among animals submitted for testing statewide. Approximately 1 to 2 percent of all specimens tested annually in Missouri test positive for rabies. Bats and skunks are the animal species most frequently associated with positive results.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued an advisory in response to increases in reported human exposures to rabid or potentially rabid animals. According to the CDC, multiple U.S. jurisdictions reported increases in human rabies exposures beginning in July.
Health department staff note that this positive test does not necessarily indicate an increase in rabies activity in the St. Joseph area. Bats tested in the past five years have yielded the following results:
-2022: 1 positive out of 22 tested
-2023: 0 positive out of 13 tested
-2024: 1 positive out of 25 tested
-2025: 1 positive out of 34 tested
-2026: 0 positive out of 38 tested before the most recent submission
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) maintains a publicly available rabies testing dashboard with statewide results. The dashboard is updated weekly and can be found at https://health.mo.gov/conditions-diseases/rabies-dashboard.
Rabies is nearly 100 percent fatal once symptoms develop, but it is preventable when appropriate medical care is received before symptoms begin. Anyone who may have been exposed to rabies should immediately contact a healthcare provider and public health officials for assistance.
This incident is an important reminder of why keeping pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations is essential. While this puppy was too young to be vaccinated at the time of the exposure, rabies vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect pets from this deadly disease. Vaccinating pets also helps protect the people and families who come into contact with them.
Residents should ensure their pets receive rabies vaccinations at the appropriate age and remain current on required booster doses. If you have questions about your pet's vaccination status, contact your veterinarian.
The St. Joseph Health Department reminds residents to take the following precautions:
-If you see a wild animal acting strangely or notice stray pets in your area, report them to animal services officials at 816-271-4877.
-Avoid feeding, touching or handling bats and other wild animals, whether they appear alive or dead.
-Do not let pets run loose, keep them away from wild animals and ensure they receive rabies vaccinations at the appropriate age. In addition to cats and dogs, rabies vaccines are available for ferrets, horses, cattle and sheep.
-If a pet comes into contact with a bat or another potentially rabid animal, contact Animal Services so that the animal can be impounded and tested if a potential exposure has occurred. You should also contact your veterinarian for guidance on any necessary precautions or treatments for your pet.
-If a person has direct contact with a bat or may have been bitten or scratched, contact Animal Services immediately so the animal can be impounded for testing. The person should also contact a healthcare provider for guidance on potential rabies exposure.
-Keep up with home maintenance, preventing easy access for bats to gain entry into living spaces and attics. If a bat is found in or around your home, do not handle it. Contact Animal Services at 816-271-4877 for assistance. Animal Services may assist when there is a potential rabies exposure or when a bat is sick or injured; bats in inaccessible areas or outdoors without those concerns may not qualify for removal.
Residents with questions about rabies or potential animal exposures are encouraged to contact the St. Joseph Animal Services at 816-271-4877.
