Bat found in kitchen of Lexington home tests positive for rabies, Fayette County health department says

A bat found inside the kitchen of a home in the Pepperhill and Chinoe roads area in Lexington tested positive for rabies, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department reported. The discovery was made Thursday, Aug. 6, at the home, officials said.

The health department said the bat was captured and submitted for testing after it was found in the residence. Laboratory results confirmed the animal carried the rabies virus, prompting public health action focused on potential human exposure.

Rabies is a viral disease that can affect the nervous system, and public health agencies respond to confirmed cases by assessing whether any people or pets had contact with the infected animal. In this instance, the finding in a home kitchen raised concern for possible direct contact within the household.

As part of its response, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department said it is addressing the incident under its rabies investigation procedures. That includes reviewing circumstances around the bat’s location in the home and determining whether anyone may have been potentially exposed.

Health department officials typically focus on identifying whether the bat had opportunities to come into contact with people, including situations involving unexplained bites or direct contact. The agency’s next steps can include outreach to residents or others identified as having contact, as well as guidance on appropriate follow-up.

The incident comes as rabies cases and exposures continue to be monitored across Kentucky through local health departments. Confirmed positive findings in household settings can trigger urgent review because the window for effective prevention measures after potential exposure depends on timely action.

Residents are being urged to pay close attention to any contact involving bats, particularly when bats are found in areas where people live and move through the home. The health department said it is continuing work related to this case and will take additional steps as its exposure assessment progresses.