A Disturbing Morning Encounter
Dr. Krista Edelman, a gastroenterologist practicing in Richmond, Virginia, experienced a rare wildlife intrusion on August 20. At approximately 6:00 a.m., she woke to find a live bat inside her mouth. The physician, who works with Richmond Gastroenterology Associates, initially assumed the sensation was part of a dream about a mouse. As she reached toward her mouth, she physically manipulated the animal's wings before realizing the situation was factual.
Her husband, alerted by her reaction, secured the bat using household items including snow mittens, a net, and a bucket sealed with masking tape. This containment allowed local animal control officers to retrieve the specimen for rabies testing. During the containment process, Edelman kept her distance, prioritizing the safety of her six-year-old daughter who was asleep in another room of the home.
Medical Response and Protocols
Although Edelman suffered no visible bite wounds, the nature of the exposure triggered a swift medical response. After consulting with Dr. Nate Warner, an infectious disease specialist at VCU, she sought care at St. Mary’s Hospital. Emergency room physician Dr. Adam Landsee oversaw her treatment. Because the mouth contains mucous membranes, doctors treat such incidents with heightened concern regarding viral transmission.
Standard medical protocol for potential rabies exposure involves a four-dose vaccine series administered over 14 days, often paired with rabies immunoglobulin if the exposure site allows for direct injection. In this case, Edelman received two vaccine doses while awaiting laboratory confirmation. Once the bat tested negative for the virus, medical staff discontinued the treatment. Dr. Landsee noted that bat teeth are small enough that victims often fail to feel or see any evidence of a bite, making proactive testing essential.
Public Health Guidelines for Wildlife
State public health veterinarian Julia Murphy stresses that bats are a critical part of the local ecosystem and should not be killed or handled without caution. However, direct physical contact or finding a bat in a room with a sleeping person warrants immediate medical consultation. The Virginia Department of Health reports that while bat-human encounters have been higher than average this year, confirmed rabies cases remain consistent with historical data, with roughly 19 positive bats identified in 2026.
Residents who discover a bat indoors should attempt to safely confine the animal in a container for testing. If physical capture is not possible, the department recommends isolating the room by closing doors and gaps until professional animal control services arrive. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources provides a list of licensed professionals for those dealing with bat colonies. Edelman, who uses social media to share medical information, hopes her experience encourages others to seek professional guidance rather than ignoring potential wildlife exposures.