A bat found in Lewis County recently tested positive for rabies, according to a Friday news release from Lewis County Public Health and Social Services.
The bat was taken to the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University, where it tested positive for the virus.
It is the first bat in Lewis County to test positive for rabies this year. No residents are known to have had direct contact with the infected animal.
Lewis County Public Health and Social Services advises residents to avoid contact with bats or any other potentially infected animals. Anyone who has had contact with a potentially infected animal should contact a health care provider and Lewis County Public Health and Social Services.
Rabies is a potentially fatal disease that can be prevented with timely medical attention and treatment before symptoms develop.
All mammals can get rabies, but in Washington state, bats are the only known species that naturally carry and spread rabies virus, according to the news release. Other mammals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes can contract the virus, but they are not the primary carriers.
The state is home to many bats, most of which are healthy and valuable to a balanced ecosystem; however, a small number may carry the rabies virus and can infect other mammals. The virus is usually spread through bites and scratches and can be found in an animal's saliva and brain tissue.
The news release advises residents not to touch or handle bats or other wild animals even if they are dead and instruct children to do the same in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Children should inform adults if they see or have any contact with a bat.
The state provides a guide on how to “bat-proof" your home. Visit https://tinyurl.com/rm69eyzs to learn more.
Lewis County residents should call Lewis County Public Health and Social Services at 360-740-1223 if a bat is found in their homes so the county can decide if the bat needs to be tested for rabies.
The county advises residents against handling bats with their bare hands and says bats should only be captured if they may have had direct contact with a person or pet.
Anyone who has been bitten by a bat or wild animal or has had direct contact with a potentially rabid animal should wash out the bite, scratch or afflicted area with soap and water for at least 10 minutes, seek immediate medical intention and call Lewis County to discuss the potential for rabies exposure.
Any pets that have contact with a potentially rabid animal should be revaccinated against rabies even if they are already vaccinated.
For more information on rabies and rabies exposure, visit https://tinyurl.com/ye23et96 or https://tinyurl.com/yd7ru8f4.
