On August 31,2002, a boy aged 13 years residing in Franklin County, Tennessee, died from rabies encephalitis caused by a rabies virus variant associated with silver-haired and eastern pipistrelle bats. This report summarizes the investigation by the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH). Persons should avoid direct contact with bats, other wildlife, and stray or ill domestic animals; however, if direct contact with bats has occurred, exposed persons should see their health-care provider, and the exposure should be reported to local public health officials.