SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — A bat tested positive for rabies in Spokane County.
According to the Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD), someone told them they were exposed to the bat. SRHD submitted the bat for rabies testing. The Washington State Department of Health later confirmed the positive test.
SRHD said this is the first rabid bat reported in Spokane County this year and the 10th in Washington State this year.
The last positive rabies case in a bat in Spokane County was in 2023.
SRHD said the person who was exposed to the bat and tested positive for rabies has been notified, and the person is receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis and immunoglobulin.
SRHD has the following tips for people:
- Help prevent pets' contact with a bat
- Bring pets into the house at night
- Keep all doors and windows closed unless screened
- Close pet doors to prevent pets from going outside or bringing a bat inside the house
- When Pets Catch Bats
- Safely catch the bat if possible, taking care not to contact the bat (see below)
- Thoroughly wash any bite wound on the pet with soap and water while wearing gloves. Bats have small teeth and claws, so bite marks may be hard to see.
- Even if you don’t see a bite wound, contact SRHD at (509) 324-1560, ext. 7 for additional instructions
- Contact your veterinarian for a rabies booster for the pet.
- When bats are found on your property, contact SRHD and your healthcare provider when
- People or pets have direct contact with the bat
- A bat is found in a room or had access to a room with a sleeping person
- A bat is found in a room with an unattended child
- A bat is found in a room with a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or who has another sensory or mental impairment
