3rd case of rabies for 2025 confirmed in Kerr County

Kerr County has received confirmation of its third positive case of rabies this year – again in a bat.

On Sunday, April 27, Kerr County Animal Services was notified of a deceased bat located under the railing on the Kerrville River Trail at Francisco Lemos Street, said KCAS Director Reagan Givens. An animal control officer was dispatched and retrieved the bat, preserved the specimen and sent it on Monday, April 28, to the zoological lab for testing.

“We received confirmation today (April 30) that the bat was positive for rabies,” Givens said. “Fortunately, it does not appear that any contact was made between the bat and any humans or pets.”

“The fact that this rabid bat was found along the walking/biking path underscores how we can come into contact with a rabies carrier just about anywhere – inside city limits as well as in the far rural corners of the county,” Givens added. “Please stay vigilant. Never touch a wild animal, including stray dogs and cats. Make sure your family’s pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.”

And, he added, if a person notices an animal acting ill or strangely (such as overly tame), then they should make a note of its physical description, its location and which direction it may be heading and then report that information to Kerr County Animal Services by calling 830-257-3100. If it is outside normal business hours, then report the information to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office by calling 830-896-1216.

In late March, there were back-to-back cases of bats suspected of rabies in Kerrville South and in the Mountain Home area. One was confirmed positive. The other specimen was deemed too damaged to be testable and, so, by Texas law, had to be declared positive in the interest of public safety.

In 2024, there were 16 total cases of rabies in Kerr County.