08/05/2026
A bat tested positive for rabies in the Town of Delhi. This is the third animal in Delaware County to test positive for rabies in 2026. One person was exposed to the rabies virus and is being treated for rabies post exposure prophylaxis. No animals were exposed.
Once infected, rabies is a virus that has 100% fatality rate when left untreated, in mammals including humans. The vaccination of dogs, cats, ferrets and livestock is essential to protect animals against rabies. Bats carry rabies in their saliva and may transmit the disease through bites to humans and other animals. Most bats are healthy and can be helpful to humans by consuming insects, but some bats are infected with rabies. Prompt treatment following a bite or exposure can prevent rabies in humans.
Rabid bats may show abnormal behavior, such as outdoor activity during daylight. Rabid bats may be grounded, paralyzed or may bite a person or animal. Be advised not all rabid bats act abnormally. One rabid bat in a colony does not mean the entire colony is infected. Rabid bats rarely attack humans. But, because rabies can occur anywhere and because rabies can be fatal, strictly avoid direct contact with bats. Whenever contact with a bat is suspected, the local health department should be contacted to help evaluate the probability of exposure.
Public Health recommends the following if you or your pet encounters a bat:
• First determine if a human, pet or livestock may have had contact with the bat.
• If contact occurred, immediately wash the area thoroughly with soap and water.
• Seek medical attention and contact your local health department
• If you are uncertain or suspect of a person or pet was exposed to a bat, wear thick gloves and wait for it to land and cover the bat with a coffee can. Slide a piece of cardboard under the can trapping the bat. Tape the cardboard tightly to the can. Call the health department for further instructions.
• Bats should only be captured if there has been direct contact with a person or pet, or, if the bat was found in the room of someone who might have been exposed while sleeping or, found a bat in a room with an unattended child, or see a bat near an intoxicated person or mentally impaired person.
• Keep pets up to date with rabies vaccinations. If your pet has up to date rabies shots, then all that may be needed is a rabies booster shot within 5 days. Call your veterinarian.
• Unvaccinated animals exposed must be quarantined 6 months or euthanized
• Under certain circumstances, people can be vaccinated to prevent rabies if exposed to a bat that tested positive for rabies or if the bat is unavailable or bat was untestable.
An exposure to rabies can be fatal for a human or a pet. Vaccination of pets and other animals represents the best preventive measure available. Be a responsible pet owner by keeping your pet’s vaccinations current. Public Health recommends that pet owners take advantage of any of the free remaining rabies clinics for dogs, cats and ferrets in Delaware County. Pre-registration is suggested for all clinics. You can pre-register at http://health.ny.gov/go2clinic
• Delhi- August 12, 2026, 5PM-7PM, Delhi Fire Hall, 140 Delview Terrace Ext., Delhi, NY 13753
• Stamford-September 9, 2026, 5PM-7PM, Stamford Fire Hall, 111 Main Street, Stamford, NY 12167
• Deposit-October 5, 2026, 5:30-7:30PM, *New Location*, DPW Garage, 192 Front St., Deposit, NY 13754
To report a suspected rabid animal call Delaware County Public Health Services at 607-832-5200. For more information call 607-832-5200 or visit our website at https://www.delcony.gov/ph/
