Bats in Purdue Facilities

Precautions and Actions to Take

During cooler temperatures throughout the year, bats are more likely to seek shelter in warm locations, such as residential and academic spaces on campus. Bats and other wild animals may carry infections or diseases such as rabies that can spread to humans through contact, bites or scratches.

Keep yourself and others safe by reducing the likelihood of bats entering a Purdue building. Keep windows shut or screens in place and ensure that exterior doors securely latch when entering or exiting.

Reporting Bat Presence Indoors

If you come across a bat in a Purdue facility:

• Do not touch, capture or kill the bat.
• Immediately leave the space and close doors and windows behind you to keep the bat contained.
• Call the 24/7 Purdue Public Safety Dispatch Center nonemergency number (765-494-8221) to report the bat’s location and request assistance.
• Do not release the bat or re-enter the room where it is located until Purdue personnel have confirmed it is okay to do so

Reporting Contact with a Bat

If you or others are exposed to a bat in any of the ways described below, immediately call the Purdue Public Safety Dispatch Center at 765-494-8221 to request medical attention.

Direct bat exposure or contact includes:

• Getting bit or scratched.
• Awakening to find a bat in your space. You or others may have been bitten or scratched while asleep.
• Witnessing a bat in a room where a person is present who may not know a bat is present or is unaware of potential bites or contact. This can include someone who is asleep, intoxicated, very young, mentally disabled or otherwise incapacitated or unable to communicate effectively

If bat exposure occurs, Purdue personnel will attempt to capture the bat and coordinate testing for diseases.

Seeking Medical Attention

If you are bitten or scratched by a bat or other wild animal, seek immediate medical attention and guidance for next steps:

• Call 911 for a life-threatening injury or if transport to a medical facility is required. For non-emergencies, call the Purdue Public Safety Dispatch Center at 765-494-8221. Follow all instructions provided to you.
• If you are able, wash the affected area with soap and water.
• If contact was made with your eyes, nose or mouth, flush the area with water for at least 15 minutes in a sink or eyewash station.

If additional, non-emergency medical attention is needed,

• Employees and visitors should contact their healthcare provider or visit urgent care.
• Students should contact the Purdue University Student Health center, located on campus at 601 Stadium Mall Drive (PUSH), or visit a local urgent care. PUSH appointments may be scheduled by calling 765-494-1700 or visiting the online patient portal at purdue.edu/push. Limited walk-in appointments are available.

Contact

Environmental Health and Safety
facoccsafety@groups.purdue.edu
765-494-6371