Lexington bat tested positive for rabies, health department confirms

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has confirmed that a bat found near Berea Road and the Kentucky Horse Park tested positive for rabies this week, according to WKYT.

WKYT reported that health officials made the confirmation after the bat was identified and submitted for testing, with the result indicating the animal carried the rabies virus. The department’s confirmation alerts residents and visitors in the area that a rabies exposure risk may exist if there was any direct contact with the bat.

Rabies is a disease of concern because it can spread through exposure to infected saliva, typically through bites or other contact with potentially infectious material. When a positive case is confirmed in a community, public health agencies typically focus on identifying whether anyone may have had contact with the animal so they can be evaluated promptly.

The notification comes as summer outdoor activity increases for people and animals across central Kentucky, including in areas near major destinations such as the Kentucky Horse Park. Health officials said the finding underscores the importance of treating bats as potentially infectious wildlife if they are found in or near occupied spaces.

If a bat is discovered, public health guidance often centers on what to do next to reduce risk, including how to handle the animal and how to determine whether a person or pet might have been exposed. In cases where exposure is possible, health departments generally recommend timely contact so that clinicians can assess whether preventive steps are needed.

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department is expected to continue its follow-up related to possible exposure around the location where the bat was found, including any case-specific outreach if the department learns of direct contact events connected to the incident described by WKYT.