(Plain Press October 2026) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is evidence that the ancient deadly virus called “rabies” is making a sinister come-back this year. Rabies related inquiries during this past July thru August was 17% higher than last year. There were several unusual events including rabid beaver attacks in Maryland and rabid goats in a North Carolina petting zoo that exposed hundreds of people. More than 90% of reported rabid animals in the United States are wildlife. The leading source of this deadly virus are bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes. Bats are particularly a danger because a bite or scratch to a human can be extremely small and easily ignored. The CDC says bats are the animals most frequently reported with rabies. In addition, most United States rabies caused deaths are associated with exposure to rabid bats.

   There is also evidence of an increase in rabid bats in northeast Ohio. This year Ohio has recorded at least 15 confirmed bats tested positive with rabies since the beginning of the year, compared to 19 rabid bats for all of 2025. In August, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health issued a warning after 5 bats tested positive for rabies in two months compared to one positive bat in a typical year. In addition, Lake County confirmed its first rabid bat since 2022.

   For anyone in Cleveland who has been exposed to a bat, you can contact the Cleveland Department of Public Health at: 216-664-3747 for questions about whether treatment is needed.

   To learn more about this deadly virus you can watch the documentary on Cleveland Spectrum Channel 1025, Mondays at 9:pm and Cox/Spectrum on Channel 45, Fridays at 8;30pm. You can also watch the documentary on the YouTube: Channel-Shocker Enterprise.