Local News

A Houston Woman Bit by a Rabid Bat Worried Without Insurance

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Tony Maples Photography

 

While in the parking garage of the Memorial Drive apartment complex in Houston around 9:30 p.m., Katie Koenig felt something hit her hand. When she looked down, she saw blood where a creature had bit her, and a bat hobbling on the ground, making its way underneath her car. ABC 13 reports that firefighters were able to retrieve the bat, and it tested positive for rabies. The terrifying news hit Koenig hard. On top of worrying about the illness itself, she doesn’t have insurance and the treatment for rabies can be incredibly pricey.

“I don’t have insurance and I don’t qualify for one of the free situations,” Koenig told KHOU. “Evidently once you start the symptoms, that’s the point of no return, and the shots won’t work. If somebody has been bitten and they feel the symptoms it’s too late, and I feel fine.”

Thankfully, the City stepped up and delivered the first five shots of rabies treatment to Koenig for free. She will not be charged for the potentially life-saving slew of vaccines. Koenig will need to visit the Houston Health Department three additional times to get even more shots to complete the treatment.

Being bit by a rabid bat is an extremely rare occurrence, but if you do come across a bat, leave it alone. If you’re bitten, the bat should be tested ASAP for rabies.