HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) — The Ottawa County Department of Public Health confirmed on Friday that a bat tested positive for rabies.

The bat is the first animal to test positive for rabies in the county this year, according to the OCDPH. 

The department says that no humans have contracted rabies and that residents should protect themselves and their pets throughout the summer, as bats are more active from May through September, increasing the risk of rabies. 

Several steps are recommended by the department for people to protect themselves and their pets, including: 

• If you find a bat at home, do not get rid of it or release it. Confine the bat safely and collect it if possible and contact OCDPH at 616.396.5266 to find out if it should be tested for rabies. If you can’t collect the bat, immediately contact a pest control company. 
• Get your pets vaccinated against rabies, even if they’re indoors most of the time.
• Contact your veterinarian immediately if you believe your pet has been bitten or scratched by a wild animal. Safely confine the wild animal if you can. Be sure to take action for your pet even if they’ve been vaccinated, to prevent them from getting infected. 

State data shows that Michigan has had 17 reported cases of animals with rabies this year.