Rabid Bat Found Aug. 4 in Chehalis’ Alexander Park

Lewis County Public Health and Social Services confirmed Friday that a bat found at Lintott/Alexander Park on Saturday, Aug. 4, has tested positive for rabies.

The bat was reportedly found around 3 p.m. on a sandbar by the river and collected by a park visitor. The person gave the bat to another individual who, after seeing the bat exhibit signs of rabies, turned it in to Public Health for testing.

The health department received the positive rabies results from the Washington State Public Health Laboratory on Aug. 9.

Any person or animal that had contact with the bat or its saliva could be at risk of getting rabies, a fatal disease.

“Fortunately, rabies can be prevented if treatment is given before symptoms appear,” according to Public Health. “At this time, there have been no reports of people having contact with the bat.”

However, county Health Officer Rachel Wood noted that it is not known how long the bat had been there or whether anyone else may have touched it.

Lintott/Alexander Park is located at 1101 Riverside Road West, along the Chehalis River just south of the Highway 6 bridge going West out of Chehalis.  

Anyone who may have come into contact with the bat, or believes their children may have come into contact with the bat at the park on August 4 should consider the possibility that they were exposed to rabies and contact Lewis County at 360-740-1222 during regular business hours or 360-740-1105 after hours or on the weekend.

If pets have been exposed, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Wood noted in a press release that the rabies virus is found in the saliva and brain tissue of a rabid animal. It is usually spread to humans by animal bites or scratches. Rabies could also potentially be spread if bat saliva containing the virus comes into contact with mucous membranes such as eyes, nose, and the respiratory tract, open cuts, or wounds.

Contact with the blood, urine, or feces of a rabid animal does not constitute an exposure.