- First rabid bat of 2026 has been confirmed in Shawano County, according to the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department.
- The bat tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials to urge residents to avoid contact with wild animals.
- A person in Shawano County is receiving treatment after being exposed to the rabid bat.
- Health officials have confirmed that human exposure to the rabid bat occurred within the last 24 hours.
- Rabies is a viral disease most commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected mammal and is almost always fatal once symptoms develop.
- Early symptoms of rabies can include fever, headache, irritability, pain or itching near the exposure site, and double vision.
- Preventative treatment may be necessary for those who have had physical contact with a bat and cannot rule out the possibility of a bite or scratch.
- Rabies is present in local wildlife, and it is not unusual for Shawano County to see at least one rabid bat annually.
The Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department confirmed the first rabid bat of 2026 in Shawano County, highlighting the ongoing risk of rabies in local wildlife. A person is currently receiving treatment after exposure to the infected bat, which tested positive on Thursday.1
Rabies is a viral disease most commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected mammal and is nearly always fatal once symptoms develop. Health officials emphasize that early symptoms can include fever, headache, irritability, and double vision, progressing to severe neurological symptoms.56
The health department noted that while it is not unusual for the county to see at least one rabid bat annually, this case serves as a critical reminder of the virus's presence. “Rabies cannot be successfully treated by the time any symptoms appear,” officials warned, urging residents to take precautions.
Preventative measures include ensuring pets are vaccinated against rabies, avoiding contact with wild animals, and excluding bats from living spaces. The last four cases of human rabies in Wisconsin occurred in 1959, 2000, 2004, and 2010, all linked to bats.
The health department confirmed to Action 2 News that there was a human exposure in the last 24 hours, and the exposed person is receiving treatment. “The positive rabies test is the first in a bat in Shawano County this year,” officials stated, reiterating the importance of vigilance against this deadly virus.4
“The Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department confirmed the first rabid bat of 2026 in Shawano County. A person is currently receiving treatment after being exposed to the rabid bat.”
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