Updated July 3

The Cascade City-County Health Department has confirmed that a bat in the county tested positive for rabies last week.

CCHD officials said during the July 3 health board meeting that the bat was tested after biting a person on the east side of the city. The bat was captured and lab tested to confirm the rabies due to the human exposure.

CCHD officials said during the meeting that the person bitten is now on post-exposure prophylaxis.

Heather Hoyer, Great Falls Public Schools superintendent, said that the district appreciated the notification since there are bats in district buildings undergoing construction currently.

She said they pulled staff together after the notification to review safety and response protocols should anyone be exposed to a bat.

The county’s last rabid animal, also a bat, was identified in August 2023.

Rabies is fatal if untreated, but prompt treatment before the onset of symptoms is nearly 100 percent successful, according to CCHD.

FWP detects fungus in bats in Cascade County cave [2023]

The last identified human death from rabies in Montana occurred in 1997.

Rabid bat confirmed in Cascade County [2021]

CCHD recommends following these tips to prevent and respond to a rabies exposure:

• do not feed or handle wild animals, especially bats. Bats and skunks are the most likely carriers of the rabies virus in Montana and should be avoided. Bats are especially concerning because their teeth are so small that a bite may not be noticeable, and people are sometimes bitten in their sleep without knowing it.
• avoid animal bites from domestic animals. Do not approach unfamiliar animals, and always request the owner’s permission before petting an animal.
• do not attempt to help a sick or injured wild animal.
• vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies. Rabies vaccinations are required by law, and all dogs and cats should have a current rabies certificate. Cats are especially susceptible to rabies.
• bat-proof your house. Put screens on all windows, doors, and chimneys to prevent bat entry. The CCHD website has information on safely catching a bat in your home.
• know what to do if there’s a bite. If someone is bitten by a domestic pet, the animal can be observed for signs of rabies, almost always avoiding the need for treatment. If an animal cannot be located, observed, or tested, a person may need to undergo a series of immunizations to prevent rabies. If you are bitten, call a healthcare provider or CCHD immediately.