Minneapolis Health Officials Seek Woman After Rabid Bat Found on Hennepin Avenue

Key points

• A bat was found alive on Hennepin Avenue between North Washington Avenue and North Third Street around noon on September 15, 2026, but died before testing.
• MDH received positive rabies test results on Friday, September 18, and is working to identify anyone who touched the animal.
• Officials describe a white woman, aged 25 to 30, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, with curly brown hair and a curly-haired golden retriever-like dog, as the person seen crouching next to the bat and placing it in a bag.
• Health authorities emphasize that bat bites are often tiny, painless, and may not leave visible marks, requiring prompt medical consultation for anyone with potential exposure.
• MDH states that individuals who did not touch the bat are not at risk and do not require rabies vaccination.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of rabies-related public health alerts in the US, including a delayed warning at Yosemite National Park and a case in Raleigh, North Carolina, earlier in 2026. The CDC recently reported a 17% increase in rabies-related inquiries from July to August 2026 compared to the same period last year. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear but is preventable through prompt post-exposure treatment.

How outlets are covering it

All three sources, KSTP.com, FOX 9, and CBS News, report the core facts consistently: the bat was found on September 15, tested positive, and MDH is seeking the woman who handled it. However, they differ in specific details and emphasis. KSTP and FOX 9 focus on the physical description of the woman and the general public warning. CBS News adds that the woman handed the bat to another passerby who submitted it for testing, and it notes that the woman contacted MDH on Monday afternoon. CBS also highlights the CDC's recent report on rising rabies inquiries, providing broader national context, while KSTP and FOX 9 focus more narrowly on the local incident and MDH's immediate response.

Why it matters

Rabies is a fatal disease that can be prevented with timely medical intervention. The incident underscores the importance of public vigilance and the difficulty of identifying exposure, as bat bites may not be noticeable. It also highlights the role of community reporting in public health surveillance, as the bat was submitted for testing by a passerby after being handled by the woman.

What to watch

MDH continues to work with partners to identify anyone who may have had contact with the bat. The woman described by officials has reportedly contacted MDH, but authorities are still urging anyone else who may have touched the animal to seek medical advice. Public health officials will likely monitor for any reported exposures and provide further updates as the investigation progresses.