New rabies case confirmed in Mackay

MACKAY, Idaho (KIFI) – Another bat has tested positive for rabies in Idaho.

Eastern Idaho Public Health reported on Wednesday that a bat found in Mackay tested positive for the virus. Southeast Idaho Public Health reported in May, a bat tested positive in Bannock County.

Health officials say bats carrying rabies are detected throughout Idaho each year, and Eastern Idaho typically records at least one rabid bat every season. While most bats are harmless and do not carry rabies, they are the only natural reservoir for the virus in Idaho.

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can affect humans and animals. Pets and other animals can become exposed after interacting with sick or injured bats that are no longer able to fly normally. Because of this risk, EIPH is encouraging pet owners to keep their animals' rabies vaccinations up to date.

“Bat bites or scratches can be very hard to see; they may not cause pain or leave blood,” said Jordan Adam, epidemiologist with Eastern Idaho Public Health. “If you know or suspect that you came into contact with a bat, call your health care provider immediately. Rabies is fatal once symptoms start, but the vaccines are nearly 100% effective in preventing rabies infection.”

 To protect yourself and your pets, EIPH offers the following tips: 

• Do not touch a bat with your bare hands. If you have had contact with a bat or wake up to find a bat in your room, seek medical advice immediately. The teeth of a bat are very small, and people are sometimes bitten in their sleep without feeling it. Any bat found in a home should be tested for rabies if there is any suspicion that an exposure to a person or pet might have occurred. 

• Parents should teach their children to avoid bats, never bring them to school for show and-tell, and to let an adult know if they find one. 

• If you or your pet has had contact or may have had contact with a bat, save it in a non-breakable container if it is alive, or sealed and double-bagged in clear plastic bags. Only do this while wearing thick gloves. Call EIPH at (208) 533-3152 to determine whether testing the bat for rabies is indicated. If it is determined that you or your pet may be at risk of exposure to rabies, testing the bat is a free service. 

• Rabies is deadly for pets, too. Always vaccinate your dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses— even indoor pets could be exposed to rabies if a bat gets into a home. 

• Bat-proof your home or cabin by plugging all holes in the siding and maintaining tight fitting screens on windows. For information about bat proofing your home, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats/management/index.html.