A bat found flying inside St. Margaret’s Elementary School in Bel Air has tested positive for rabies, prompting Harford County health officials to ask parents to speak with their children about whether they may have come into contact with the animal.
The bat was captured inside the elementary school and sent to a state laboratory for testing on Sept. 1. Officials confirmed the following day that it was infected with rabies.
Health officials said the case is part of a broader increase in rabies activity among wildlife in Harford County this year. More than 22 animals have tested positive for rabies in the county so far in 2026, including two bats.
No human injuries from a rabid animal have been reported in Harford County this year, according to health officials.
Parents urged to check for possible contact
The health department is asking families to talk with children who may have been inside the school and determine whether they saw, touched or otherwise came into direct contact with the bat.
A person who has direct contact with a bat should seek guidance from a medical provider or local health officials. This is particularly important for children because a bite or scratch from a bat can sometimes be difficult to notice.
Current public health guidance says direct contact with a bat should be evaluated unless a bite or scratch can be definitively ruled out. If an exposure may have occurred, health professionals can determine whether rabies post-exposure treatment is necessary.
Rabies is preventable when appropriate treatment is given before symptoms begin, but once symptoms develop, the disease is almost always fatal. That makes prompt assessment after a possible exposure especially important.
Health officials urge residents to keep wildlife out
The confirmed bat case is also serving as a reminder for residents to check their homes for places where wildlife could get inside.
Officials recommend keeping doors closed securely, making sure window screens are intact and sealing holes or other openings that could provide animals with access to buildings.
Residents should also avoid handling bats or other wild animals that appear sick, injured or behave unusually. If wildlife needs to be removed from a home or another occupied building, residents should contact the appropriate animal-control or public health authorities rather than attempting to handle the animal themselves.
Harford County continues rabies prevention efforts
The county has also been using oral rabies vaccination efforts to help reduce the spread of the virus among wildlife. The program targets animals such as raccoons and coyotes, which can contribute to the circulation of rabies in the area.
The latest school case comes during a year in which Harford County has recorded multiple rabies-positive animals, keeping attention focused on wildlife exposure and prevention.
Across Maryland, other wildlife-related rabies incidents have also been reported in recent months. Several people were attacked by beavers that later tested positive for rabies, including incidents at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County and Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County.
For families, the message from health officials remains straightforward: children should be reminded not to approach or touch wild animals. Any possible direct contact with a bat should be reported promptly so that medical and public health professionals can determine whether treatment is needed.
If someone is bitten or scratched, the affected area should be washed thoroughly with soap and water while medical or public health advice is sought. Rabies treatment decisions are made based on the circumstances of the exposure and the animal involved.
