Minneapolis Health Department Issues Alert After Woman Removes Rabid Bat from Sidewalk

City health officials in Minneapolis have launched a public appeal to locate a woman who reportedly picked up a rabid bat that was lying on a downtown sidewalk, according to local reports.

The incident, which was first reported by a technology news outlet, describes a passerby who found an apparently injured bat and, without protective gear, handled the animal before learning that it tested positive for rabies. Details about whether the woman was bitten or otherwise exposed have not been released, prompting officials to act swiftly.

In response, the Minneapolis health department has posted flyers throughout the downtown area and is using social media channels to reach anyone who may have seen the woman or knows her identity. The goal is to determine whether she received post‑exposure prophylaxis, a series of vaccinations that can prevent the virus from taking hold if administered promptly.

Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is preventable if treatment begins before the virus reaches the nervous system. Bats are the most common wildlife carriers of rabies in the United States, and health agencies routinely advise the public to avoid direct contact with them. When a bat is found dead or behaving unusually, authorities usually test it for the virus to assess any risk to people who may have been exposed.

Locating the woman is critical not only for her own health but also for public safety. If she was bitten or had her saliva enter an open wound, she would need a full course of rabies vaccine, which can be costly and requires multiple visits. Moreover, confirming that she received treatment helps officials close the case and focus resources on other potential exposures.

The department has urged anyone with information to call a dedicated hotline or contact the city’s health services directly. Officials also reminded residents to report any bats found in public spaces and to avoid handling wildlife, emphasizing that professional animal control teams are equipped to safely capture and test suspect animals. As the search continues, the incident underscores the ongoing need for public awareness about rabies risks in urban environments.