BIOLOGIST ASHLEY WILSON checks the wing of a big brown bat captured in Sharon Township, Mich., in June 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, file)

MARINETTE, Wis. — A bat in Marinette County has tested positive for rabies, county health officials announced Wednesday.

The animal was submitted for testing after a potential human exposure, and laboratory results confirmed the presence of the rabies virus, Marinette County Public Health stated in a news release. Where the bat was found in the county was not disclosed.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system. The rabies virus is transmitted from infected mammals to humans through saliva — typically via a bite — and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

Human rabies is now rare in the United States but still occurs frequently in many developing nations.

Public health encourages residents to take these precautions to protect themselves, their families and their pets:

— Ensure dogs, cats and ferrets are up-to-date on all vaccines, even if they are indoor animals.

— Never touch bats or wild animals.

— Teach your children not to approach strange animals, including others’ pets.

— Bat-proof your home by sealing openings larger than a quarter-inch to prevent bats from entering attics, chimneys or living spaces and install screens on windows and chimney caps where needed.

— If a bat is found in your home, especially a bedroom or near a sleeping person, do not release it until you have spoken with the local health department, as testing may be necessary.

— If you or a family member gets bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately with liberal amounts of soap and water, and seek medical attention right away.

— Any exposure — bite or non-bite — to bats should be discussed as soon as possible with your physician or your local health department.

— Avoid attracting wild animals by covering garbage cans securely, and do not leave food outside.

— If your pet has been in a fight with a wild animal, contact your veterinarian and local health department. Wild animals are at risk, particularly skunks and bats, and often expose domestic/farm animals.

For more information regarding rabies, go online to https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/rabies/index.htm or call Marinette County Public Health at 715-732-7670.