As the days heat up, Jefferson County Public Health sees an increase in calls reporting human and pet contacts with bats. Be reminded that avoiding bats can protect you from rabies. Bats are not aggressive mammals and generally do not attack humans.
“With hot summer days, many people are cooling off at night by leaving doors and windows open. Even with screens, bats are able to squeeze through very small openings and find their way into houses. Rabies exposures can occur when a bat that is infected with rabies is directly handled,” said Dr. Tom Locke, Public Health Officer of Jefferson County. “Any bat that is found on the ground, has been caught by a pet, or is found in a house might have rabies and should be avoided. If you find a bat in your house, please call our office at 360-385-9444 to discuss the situation and determine whether the bat should be tested for rabies. It is important that anyone who is directly exposed to a bat safely capture the bat so that it can be tested. If the bat is released, there is no way to determine whether it was healthy or rabid.”
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system in mammals. Symptoms can take weeks to months to develop and, once the disease has occurred, it progresses rapidly to death. People exposed to a rabid animal must receive anti-rabies treatment to prevent the disease. The virus can be transmitted after a bite from an infected animal. It can also be spread to open wounds or mucous membranes by an infected animal’s saliva. In Washington, bats are the animal of most concern for rabies — about seven percent of those tested in the past 20 years were rabid, including bats from the Olympic Peninsula.
Dogs and cats can also get rabies so keep their vaccinations up-to-date. Call your veterinarian if your pet has had contact with a wild animal. If you are bitten by an animal — wild or domestic — wash the wound well and call your doctor and local public health department immediately.
Bats can be found throughout the state; they are not aggressive animals and most of them don’t have rabies. Those seen flying at dusk and feeding on insects are usually healthy and will avoid contact with people. However, any bat that is flying during the day or appears sick and unable to fly is more likely to be rabid.
While bats are migrating in the spring and fall, they may temporarily rest in unusual places, such as attics. If you find a bat in the house, close the doors and windows to the room; wear leather or other thick gloves; capture the bat in a can or box without touching it; seal the container; and call your local health agency. They will help you determine if any people or pets in your home may have been exposed and can arrange to test the bat for rabies, if needed. “Bat proof” your home by making sure open windows have screens and other small entry points are sealed.
For more information about bats and rabies, please contact Jefferson County Public Health at 360-385-9444.
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