Beaumont Warns Residents After 2 Rabid Bats Found

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Beaumont Animal Care is warning residents after two bats tested positive for rabies in the city in less than three months. The city is advising residents to never touch bats with bare hands and to report any bats found in homes or acting abnormally to animal control.

Why it matters

Rabies is a serious and often fatal illness, so the discovery of rabid bats in the community raises public health concerns. Beaumont is also seeing an increase in bat activity as the animals' mating season approaches, heightening the risk of potential exposure.

The details

In December, a lethargic bat found in the 600 block of 21st St. tested positive for rabies. Recently, an injured bat discovered in the 6000 block of College St. also tested positive. While less than 1% of bats have rabies, around 11% of bats tested in Texas are positive. Residents are advised to never touch bats, and to safely contain and report any bats found in homes.

• In December, a bat found in the 600 block of 21st St. tested positive for rabies.
• Recently, a bat discovered in the 6000 block of College St. also tested positive for rabies.
• Beaumont typically sees an increase in bat calls as temperatures rise in early spring, during the bat mating season from March through August.

What’s next

Beaumont Animal Care said that not every bat found needs testing, but residents should still call animal control to have trained officers assess the situation.