Minneapolis Health Dept Seeks Woman Who Handled Rabid Bat on Downtown Sidewalk

Minneapolis city health officials have issued a public call to find a woman who is said to have retrieved a rabid bat that was on a downtown sidewalk, local reports say.

First reported by a technology news site, the event involves a passerby who came across what appeared to be an injured bat, handled it without any protective equipment, and later discovered that the creature tested positive for rabies. No information has been provided regarding whether the woman was bitten or otherwise exposed, leading officials to move quickly.

To address the situation, the Minneapolis health department has distributed flyers around downtown and is leveraging social‑media platforms to contact anyone who might have seen the woman or can identify her. The aim is to find out if she has received post‑exposure prophylaxis—a course of vaccinations that can stop the virus if given promptly.

Rabies, a viral infection, is nearly always deadly once symptoms develop, yet it can be averted when treatment starts before the virus reaches the nervous system. In the United States, bats represent the primary wildlife source of rabies, and health officials consistently counsel people to steer clear of direct contact. When a bat is discovered dead or acting oddly, authorities typically test it for rabies to gauge any potential risk to exposed individuals.

Finding the woman matters for both her personal health and public safety. Should she have been bitten or had bat saliva enter an open wound, a complete rabies vaccination series—expensive and requiring several appointments—would be necessary. Additionally, verifying that she has undergone treatment enables officials to close the case and allocate resources toward other possible exposures.

The department is asking anyone with tips to call a dedicated hotline or reach out directly to city health services. Officials also reminded the public to report any bats spotted in communal areas and to refrain from handling wildlife, noting that trained animal‑control crews are equipped to safely capture and test questionable specimens. As the search proceeds, the episode highlights the persistent necessity for public awareness of rabies hazards in city settings.