Rabies has been a problem in North Carolina since the early 1990's. There are two strains of rabies, a bat strain and a canine strain. Obviously the bat strain is carried by bats while the canine strain can be in any mammal.
Rabies is transferred by saliva or neurological tissue. This means that any bite, scratch, sneeze, etc from an animal could transfer the virus.
Due to the small size of bats and their nocturnal activity allows them to get into homes and sleeping quarters unnoticed. An opening the size of a dime can allow a bat to enter your home. If a bat is found in any room of a home where someone has been asleep, it must be captured and tested for rabies. This testing is done through your local health department or animal shelter. The testing is performed by the State. People can receive a bite or scratch from a bat while sleeping and not realize that they have been exposed to rabies. Usually this testing is accompanied by post exposure rabies treatment. This treatment can be quite expensive and often is not covered by insurance. This is why a professional should be called to capture the bat and instruct you on the proper procedure for delivery to the health department or animal shelter for testing.
The canine strain of rabies is primarily found in mammals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, squirrels, etc. Normal contact with these animals such as bites, scratches, even simple handling can transfer the virus. YOU CANNOT ALWAYS TELL WHEN AN ANIMAL HAS RABIES. The normal signs of rabies such as spotting a nocturnal animal in daytime, listlessness, unkempt fur, frothing or foaming at the mouth, erratic walking are potential signs of the advanced stages of rabies. However, just seeing a nocturnal animal in daylight does not automatically mean it has rabies. Furthermore, these mammals can have the virus in their system, it can be dormant, yet still transferrable. Any physical contact should be avoided. A licensed professional should be called for assistance when dealing with these animals.
RELOCATION OF THESE ANIMALS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED BY THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.