Rabies

[Swanson]

Can you get rabies from touching a dead bat? Last week I found a dead bat at our back door and picked it up to throw it away. later without thinking I ate a piece of ham before I washed my hands.

Can you get rabies this way ?

[Daveyo]

Yes you can if you touched any fluids from that bat and put it to your food. Generally it is a bite that does it but what you did was even easier to contact such. Next time never touch a dead bat, and use garden tools or call the animal warden to have it removed. Go see a doctor ASAP and get yourself tested out for a Rabies check. If confirmed your in for a 14 grueling shots. If negative your in the clear.

Daveyo