Can bats transmit rabies to humans?

Bats can sometimes pass rabies to humans, it’s like when a friend gives you a boo-boo and germs move from their hand to yours.

When a bat has rabies, it means the bat is sick with a germ that can hurt people. If a person gets bitten by a rabid bat, or if the bat licks them on the face or hands, the germs can move into their body through tiny holes in the skin, just like when you get a cut from a paper.

Most of the time, bats are friendly and don’t bother people. But sometimes, especially if they’re sick with rabies, they might act strangely, flying around at night or being near people during the day. If someone gets bitten by one of these strange bats, it’s important to tell a doctor so they can help stop the germs from spreading inside the body.

That’s why it's smart to be careful when playing with bats, like how you might be careful not to touch a boo-boo after your friend does. Bats can sometimes pass rabies to humans, it’s like when a friend gives you a boo-boo and germs move from their hand to yours.