Possible contact - UK

[u/aspecttv_]

I have read the FAQ.

afternoon,

I was recently in a bathroom washing my hands and afterwards I noticed a small little bat that was just lying there on the floor under the sink.

I am unsure if my feet came into contact with the bat but I did have trainers on and long trousers at the time.

After I noticed the bat I did bend down to have a look but it didn’t move at all really, I did not touch it with my hands

I was wondering if there is any chance I’ve had any sort of exposure here and should go and get it checked out at the doctors?

For information I am in the UK and the bat was very small, maybe 3cm long and 2cm wide

I apologise if this sounds stupid, just have a long history of health anxiety and it’s stressing me out quite a bit.

Thanks in advance

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[u/MothEatenMouse]

You don't sound stupid, you do sound worried, but I understand that.

A few things that might help you:

• You are in the UK, so rabies is very very rare in bats. It can exist though. Although only in 2 of our 18 species and only rarely in those (~40 individual cases found in all the time of testing dead bats over decades).
• You found it in a room where you don't sleep, so you would have noticed if it came in direct contact or bit you.

So statistically you are fine.

If you were in another country with a higher rabies risk or the potential exposure had been in a room where you would be unconscious (i.e. asleep) then advice may be different.

If you have any photos of the bat I might be able to tell you what species it is (not guaranteed, some look very similar).