A Richmond, Virginia, gastroenterologist woke up to find a bat attempting to enter her mouth during the early hours of Aug. 22-23 [2, 3].
The incident serves as a critical warning about the risks of rabies exposure and the necessity of immediate medical intervention after wildlife encounters.
Dr. Krista Edelman was asleep in her home when she realized an animal was on her face. "The bat is trying to get in my mouth," Edelman said [1].
Edelman acted quickly to trap the animal. Because bats can carry rabies, she arranged for the animal to undergo professional testing [1, 4]. The rabies test later returned negative [1].
Health officials used the viral nature of the encounter to remind the public that bat bites can be microscopic. Because these bites are often unfelt, officials urge anyone who wakes up with a bat in their room, or on their person, to contact local health departments immediately [1, 2].
Prompt contact is essential because rabies is nearly always fatal if not treated before symptoms appear. Medical professionals provide post-exposure prophylaxis, a series of vaccinations that prevent the virus from reaching the central nervous system [1].
Edelman shared her experience to ensure others know how to react in similar situations [4]. She emphasized the importance of capturing the animal if possible, as this allows health officials to test the specific animal for the virus rather than relying on general risk assessments [1].
“"The bat is trying to get in my mouth,"”
This incident highlights a significant public health gap regarding wildlife exposure. While many people assume a visible bite or scratch is necessary for rabies transmission, the biological reality is that bat teeth are small enough to leave marks that go unnoticed by a sleeping person. By capturing the animal, Edelman avoided the uncertainty that typically leads to mandatory, expensive, and invasive vaccination series for victims of unidentified bat encounters.
