An Ogden bat tested positive for rabies. Here’s what you should do

OGDEN — Health officials are reminding the public to make sure their pets’ vaccinations are up to date after a bat tested positive for rabies in Ogden.

Communicable disease nurse Amy Carter with the Weber-Morgan Health Department explained how most bats are healthy in Utah.

“Bats play an important role in our ecosystem and the majority of the bats in our population are healthy and tend to keep to themselves,” Carter said in a news release. “However, if you see one in the daylight, or if it’s in a place where you or your pet can pick it up, there’s a good chance it is ill.”

Carter added that dogs and cats are required to receive the rabies vaccine in Utah.

“Vaccination is important because it is how we prevent rabies in our cats and dogs,” Carter said. “It saves time and heartache if your pet is involved in a biting incident or comes in contact with a rabid bat or other animal.”

According to the health department, the bat found in Ogden was the first one to be reported to have rabies in 2025.

Making a rabies report

Health officials listed resources to make a report about an animal biting a person:

• Weber-Morgan Health Department, 801-399-7250
• Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 801-476-2740
• Your local animal control agency or local dispatch

“Act quickly if you are bitten or scratched by a bat or other wild animal,” the health department said. “Immediately wash the wound with soap and water and see your healthcare provider. If possible, safely contain the bat and contact the Utah Division of Wildlife Services so it can be tested for rabies.”

Health officials also advised people to report interactions with a bat found in sleeping areas.

“Any exposure to a bat in a sleeping area is considered an exposure due to their ability to spread the virus through extremely small bites or scratches,” the health department said.

Bats can be good

An event hosted by the Department of Wildlife Resources in August 2024 aimed to help people understand how bats help the environment.

Michael Packer with the DWR talked about how he hoped the event would show people a different side of bats.

“Bats play a very important ecological role, something that maybe a lot of our Utahns may not think of when they think of a bat,” Packer said. “We’re trying to give (people) an up close and personal encounter to make them feel a little bit more comfortable. And, hopefully spread positive things about the bats that we have, as well as hopefully walk away with a little bit more knowledge about these species.”