Health Officials: Bat with Rabies found in Dennison
DOVER (WJER) (April 28, 2026) – Tuscarawas County health officials have confirmed a case of rabies in a bat found in Dennison.
The positive test was reported April 24th by the Ohio Department of Health, marking the county’s first case in years. Four additional cases have been reported elsewhere in Ohio this year.
Spokeswoman Jennifer Demuth says no people were exposed, but a household pet that encountered the bat is being monitored as a precaution.
Rabies is a potentially fatal virus spread through the saliva of infected animals and attacks the nervous system – but Demuth says there’s no need to panic.
The Health Department urges residents to seek medical care if exposure is suspected and warns that bat bites can be difficult to detect, especially indoors.
Residents are reminded to keep pets vaccinated and report unusual animal behavior to authorities.