Every year we get some calls from student renters who want to know what to do if they have a bat in the house. Your first reaction might be to scream and run, or open all the doors and windows in hopes that it will fly out. But according to the Washtenaw County Health Department, letting it out is a bad idea. Instead, they recommend contacting them first.
https://www.washtenaw.org/1795/Rabies
The Washtenaw County Health Department recently identified a rabid bat and stresses the importance of getting accurate reporting data on bats.
“We were enjoying a longer stretch with no rabies-positive animals, but it’s not unusual for us to see some rabid bats in the county every year,” says Ailen Velazquez, MSc, MD, Washtenaw County Health Department epidemiology coordinator. “We often see more bat encounters in the summer and fall months, so we want to remind everyone to contact the Health Department if you find a bat in your home.”