American Bat Lyssavirus Infection in Grand Rapids, Michigan

American bat lyssavirus infection is a rare but extremely serious illness that affects the central nervous system. It is closely related to the rabies virus and, like rabies, is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

While only a few human cases have ever been reported in the United States, people in Grand Rapids and across Michigan should understand the risks, especially because bats are common in our region and can be found in homes, barns, parks, and natural areas along the Grand River and throughout Kent County.

American Bat Lyssavirus in Michigan and the U.S.

American bat lyssavirus is found in bat populations across the United States. In Michigan, bats are an important part of the ecosystem, but some can carry rabies or related lyssaviruses.

  • Only three human cases of American bat lyssavirus infection have ever been reported, and all were fatal.
  • Because Michigan has cold winters and bats often seek shelter in buildings, garages, and attics, residents in Grand Rapids may have occasional close contact with bats, especially in older homes and lakeside cottages.

Public health agencies such as the Kent County Health Department and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) monitor bat-related rabies risks statewide.

Symptoms of American Bat Lyssavirus Infection

Early Symptoms

Early symptoms can look like the flu and may include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Fatigue or feeling unusually tired
  • General discomfort or weakness

These symptoms can appear within days or up to several years after exposure to an infected bat.

Progressive Symptoms

Symptoms usually worsen quickly and may progress to:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Sensory changes (such as tingling, numbness, or abnormal sensations)
  • Confusion or agitation
  • Convulsions (seizures)
  • Loss of consciousness

Once these advanced symptoms begin, American bat lyssavirus infection is almost always fatal, with death usually occurring within 1 to 2 weeks.

How American Bat Lyssavirus Spreads

American bat lyssavirus is spread to people from infected bats. The virus is present in the saliva and nervous tissue of infected animals.

Transmission can occur through:

  • Bites (even very small or “pinprick” bites)
  • Scratches that break the skin
  • Saliva from a bat coming into contact with:
    • Broken skin
    • Eyes
    • Nose
    • Mouth

The virus has been found in:

  • Fruit bats
  • Flying foxes
  • Insect-eating microbats (the type most commonly found in Michigan)

Because it is not possible to tell if a bat is infected just by looking at it, it should be assumed that any bat in the United States, including in Michigan, can potentially carry and spread lyssaviruses or rabies.

Who Is at Higher Risk in the Grand Rapids Area?

People who come into close contact with bats due to work, volunteering, or recreation have a higher risk of exposure. In and around Grand Rapids, higher-risk groups include:

  • Bat handlers and wildlife rehabilitators
  • Veterinarians and veterinary staff
  • Wildlife officers and animal control workers
  • Researchers and field biologists
  • Cave explorers and people who work in or around caves
  • Utility and power-line workers who may enter attics or structures where bats roost
  • Pest control professionals
  • Volunteers who assist with bat removal or wildlife rescue

Because of the presence of bats in older buildings, barns, and wooded areas throughout Kent County and West Michigan, these groups are especially encouraged to discuss vaccination with a healthcare provider.

Vaccination for People at Increased Risk

Pre-Exposure Vaccination

For people at higher risk of bat exposure, preventive (pre-exposure) rabies vaccination is recommended. This protects against rabies virus and related lyssaviruses.

Typical preventive vaccination:

  • Three vaccine doses given over about one month
  • Given in the arm, similar to other vaccines

People with ongoing bat exposure (for example, wildlife workers or bat researchers in West Michigan) may need:

  • Periodic blood testing, usually every few years, to check if a booster dose is needed

In Grand Rapids, pre-exposure rabies vaccination can be arranged through:

  • Your primary care provider or family doctor
  • Occupational health clinics
  • Travel and vaccine clinics associated with Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • Guidance from the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health resources

Insurance coverage and funding options vary. Booster doses may not always be funded and may depend on your employer, risk level, and insurance plan.

What To Do If You Are Exposed to a Bat in Grand Rapids

If you are bitten, scratched, or have contact between bat saliva and broken skin, eyes, nose, or mouth:

1. Wash the Wound Immediately

  • Wash the area right away with soap and plenty of running water
  • Scrub gently but thoroughly for at least 15 minutes
  • This step is critical and can significantly reduce the risk of infection

2. Apply an Antiseptic

After washing, apply an antiseptic with antiviral action, such as:

  • Iodine solutions (e.g., povidone-iodine, iodine tincture, aqueous iodine solution)
  • Alcohol (ethanol) if iodine is not available

3. Seek Medical Care as Soon as Possible

Even if you:

  • Were previously vaccinated, or
  • Think the bite or scratch is “minor”

You should immediately contact a doctor or go to an urgent care or emergency department.

In the Grand Rapids area, you can seek care at:

  • Emergency departments at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or other local hospitals
  • Urgent care centers affiliated with Spectrum Health, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • Your primary care provider, if available quickly

If the exposure is serious or after hours, go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 for urgent help.

Post-Exposure Treatment

After a possible exposure to American bat lyssavirus or rabies, your doctor may recommend post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This is time-sensitive and should be started as soon as possible.

Treatment may include:

  • Multiple doses of vaccine given over about one month
  • Rabies immunoglobulin (antibodies given by injection), usually around the wound and sometimes in a muscle

The exact treatment plan depends on:

  • Whether you have been vaccinated before
  • The type and severity of the exposure
  • The location of the bite or scratch

Public health authorities, such as the Kent County Health Department or MDHHS, may be consulted by your healthcare provider to guide treatment decisions.

Do Not Handle Bats Yourself

Members of the public should never attempt to catch, handle, or care for bats, even if they appear sick, injured, or weak.

  • Only appropriately trained and vaccinated wildlife professionals should handle bats or other potentially infected wildlife.
  • If a bat has had contact with a person or pet in your home in Grand Rapids, it may need to be safely captured and tested for rabies.

Who to Contact About a Bat in Grand Rapids

If you find a bat:

  • Inside your home, especially in a bedroom
  • In contact with a person who was sleeping, a child, an impaired adult, or a pet
  • Acting strangely (daytime flying, difficulty flying, or on the ground)

You should:

  1. Avoid touching the bat.
  2. Confine it to a room if safely possible (close doors, place a towel at the bottom of the door).
  3. Contact:
    • Kent County Animal Control or your local animal control service
    • The Kent County Health Department for guidance
    • Your veterinarian if a pet was exposed

In an emergency or if you are unsure, call 911 for instructions and connection to appropriate services.

Diagnosing American Bat Lyssavirus Infection

Diagnosis is made through specialized laboratory testing of:

  • Blood
  • Spinal fluid (cerebrospinal fluid)
  • Skin samples
  • Nervous system tissues

However:

  • Diagnosis is difficult, especially early in the illness.
  • In many cases, a definite diagnosis is only made after death (post-mortem).

Because there is no effective treatment once symptoms appear, prevention and rapid post-exposure care are critical.

Treatment of Confirmed Infection

There is currently no proven cure for American bat lyssavirus infection after symptoms begin.

  • Treatment is supportive, meaning healthcare teams focus on:
    • Managing pain and discomfort
    • Controlling seizures
    • Supporting breathing and other vital functions

Patients with suspected or confirmed infection are usually cared for in an intensive care setting at major hospitals, such as Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital or other tertiary care centers in West Michigan.

Preventing American Bat Lyssavirus in Grand Rapids

To reduce your risk:

  • Avoid handling bats and wild animals
  • Bat-proof your home, especially before the colder seasons when bats seek shelter:
    • Seal gaps in roofs, attics, and eaves
    • Install screens on windows and vents
  • Teach children never to touch bats, dead or alive
  • Keep pets up to date on rabies vaccinations through your local veterinarian
  • If you work with wildlife, in caves, or in settings with frequent bat exposure, talk to your doctor about pre-exposure rabies vaccination
  • Contact public health authorities promptly if you suspect exposure

In Michigan, suspected rabies or bat-related exposures are coordinated through:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  • Local animal control and wildlife services

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

If you think you or someone in your care has been exposed to a bat or potentially infected animal:

  • In an emergency, always call 911.
  • Go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital:
    • Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health or Mercy Health emergency departments
  • Contact your primary care provider or pediatrician as soon as possible.
  • For public health guidance, contact the:
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

Key Points for Grand Rapids Residents

  • American bat lyssavirus is rare but almost always fatal once symptoms start.
  • Symptoms can appear days to years after exposure and progress quickly from flu-like symptoms to confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
  • The virus is spread mainly through bites, scratches, or saliva from infected bats contacting broken skin, eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • People at high risk of bat exposure (wildlife workers, veterinarians, bat handlers, cave explorers, utility workers) should consider preventive rabies vaccination.
  • Immediate wound washing, antiseptic use, and rapid medical care are essential after any bat exposure.
  • There is no effective treatment once symptoms appear, so prevention and post-exposure prophylaxis are critical.
  • In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, use local resources—hospitals, urgent care centers, and the Kent County Health Department—for timely evaluation and treatment.