Richmond doctor shares viral bat encounter and rabies warning

A Richmond gastroenterologist described a startling encounter when a bat entered her mouth while she was half-asleep in her historic home. She posted the incident on Instagram, where it has been shared tens of thousands of times, and used the platform to issue a public-health reminder about bat-related rabies risk.

The doctor, Dr. Krista Edelman, said she initially thought she felt a small animal, then realized it was a bat and screamed for help. She consulted an infectious-disease colleague who advised her to seek immediate medical care because the proximity of a bat bite to the brain can increase the speed of rabies transmission.

At St. Mary’s Hospital emergency department, Dr. Adam Landsee, assistant medical director, emphasized that any bat found in a home should be treated as a potential rabies exposure, noting the difficulty of detecting bat bites due to their tiny teeth.

Virginia Department of Health veterinarian Dr. Julia Murphy reported that bat submissions for rabies testing have risen this year, though positive results have not increased. She recommended trapping the bat, contacting local health authorities promptly, and noting that test results are typically available within 48 hours; a negative result means vaccination is unnecessary.

The bat captured by Dr. Edelman later tested negative for rabies. She said she shared the story to help others understand how to respond to similar situations.