Rabies Case Confirmed in Plano, Texas: What You Need to Know 

Rabies Discovery in Plano 

A bat found in Plano, Texas, has tested positive for rabies, according to city officials. The bat was found on September 11, 2024 in the 1700 block of Throwbridge Lane.¹ While there was no known contact with people or pets, the bat was tested due to concerns about its health.² Rabies is a preventable viral disease in warm-blooded animals. Humans can contract rabies through bites from infected animals.²

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal. Rabies primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start.³
In the United States, more than 90% of reported cases of rabies in animals occur in wildlife. The animals most often found with rabies in the US include bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.³

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Rabies? 

The first symptoms of rabies may be similar to the flu, including weakness or discomfort, fever, or headache. There also may be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite. These symptoms may last for several days.⁴
Severe disease usually appears within 2 weeks of the first symptoms, when the rabies virus causes brain dysfunction. Common signs include anxiety, confusion, agitation, and hallucinations.⁴

What to Do if You Think You've Been Exposed to Rabies?

If you think you or your pet may have been exposed to rabies, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Medical care following a rabies exposure is called post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP. PEP includes wound care, a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG), and a series of 4 or 5 rabies vaccines, which must be administered as soon as possible after exposure.³

How Can You Help Control Rabies? 

The best way to prevent rabies is to make sure your pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccines and to keep wildlife wild. You can also help by calling animal control to remove stray animals from your neighborhood.³