Rabies Information and Reporting

Rabies is caused by a virus most often transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of a rabid animal. If a wound is treated quickly after the bite or scratch, the disease can be prevented. If treatment does not happen, then the rabies virus can infect the central nervous system, eventually causing disease in the brain and death. Rabies is normally transmitted by an animal bite, but rabies can also be transmitted if a rabid animal scratches a person or if its saliva comes into contact with broken skin.

Did You Find a Bat in Your Home? 

If you have a bat in your home DO NOT release it if you find it in the room of:

1. A sleeping person 
2. An unattended child 
3. Someone mentally impaired 
4. An intoxicated individual 
5. Or if the bat had physical contact with a human or unvaccinated pet.

Be careful of the head, as this is essential for rabies testing. If caught alive, contact the health department. If the bat is dead, safely place it in a bag and put it in the refrigerator. Call the health department for further instructions. Contact us at 269-673-5411 to be directed to Communicable Disease Staff. Do NOT bring live bats to the Health Department. Please contact the Allegan County Health Department for further instructions once a bat has been found or captured. 

Please only use the below link to report an animal bite or bat exposure for someone who lives in Allegan County or if the incident occurred in Allegan County, Michigan. 

Animal Bite Reporting Form: Please complete this form if you or your child has been bitten, scratched, or exposed to an animal that could have rabies.

Once the report has been submitted, our staff will contact you within one business day to ask additional questions and determine if the animal needs testing and/or if the exposed person needs medical treatment. 

If you complete this form after hours or on the weekend, please seek medical care if an animal has bitten someone. 

Animal Quarantine Reporting Form: Complete this form to report the status of your pet after the 10-day quarantine and monitoring period. 

Healthcare Provider Animal Bite Report Form: Complete this form and fax it to ACHD if you are a healthcare provider reporting an animal bite/rabies exposure.