Six bat bite cases reported at Alabama hospital; rabies concerns prompt warnings

Thomas Hospital in Baldwin County, Alabama, has treated at least six patients for bat bites or exposure in the past week, marking an unusual surge in such cases, according to WKRG News 5.

Emergency department physicians at the hospital say the cluster is notable for occurring over such a compressed timeframe. While bat encounters happen occasionally, multiple exposures in days typically warrant closer investigation and public health attention.

Rabies is a serious concern with bat bites, as the virus can be transmitted through saliva. Health officials generally recommend that anyone bitten by a bat seek immediate medical attention and post-exposure prophylaxis if warranted. The hospital's treatment of multiple cases suggests local residents may be encountering bats at higher-than-usual rates, possibly due to seasonal migration or habitat changes.

No additional details on patient conditions or the circumstances of the exposures were immediately available.

Florida reports nearly 60% drop in fentanyl deaths since 2023

Florida has recorded a dramatic decline in fentanyl-related deaths, with new data showing nearly 3,000 fewer deaths annually compared to 2023 levels, according to a report from the Florida Medical Examiners Commission released Tuesday by Governor Ron DeSantis's office.

Fentanyl deaths fell from roughly 5,000 in 2023 to approximately 2,000 by 2025—a nearly 60% reduction. From 2024 to 2025 alone, fentanyl-caused deaths dropped 37%, while deaths from fentanyl analogs declined by more than 50%. The state also saw broader declines across other drug-related deaths: opioid-caused deaths fell 33%, cocaine deaths dropped 16%, and methamphetamine deaths decreased 23%.

The governor attributed much of the progress to the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) grant program, established in 2023 to fund large-scale drug investigations and support local law enforcement. Since its launch, the program has yielded nearly 3,000 arrests of drug traffickers and dealers, along with significant seizures: more than 600 pounds of fentanyl, over 65,000 fentanyl pills, nearly 800 pounds of cocaine, more than 520 pounds of methamphetamine, and more than $6.6 million in cash. Law enforcement also recovered nearly 1,000 firearms and 90 vehicles.

Recent operations funded through S.A.F.E. include October's Operation Ice Breaker, which charged 25 individuals following a South Florida trafficking investigation that netted over 100 pounds of cocaine and 16 firearms, and September's Operation End of Worlds, which dismantled a major Polk County fentanyl and methamphetamine organization, resulting in 39 arrests.

Milton felon sentenced to prison on gun charges

A Milton man with a prior felony conviction has been sentenced to prison time on federal gun charges, according to WKRG-TV 5. Details on the specific charges, sentence length, and circumstances of the case were not immediately available in the station's initial report. The case falls under federal jurisdiction, which typically handles firearms offenses involving convicted felons in illegal possession of weapons.