Idaho’s first rabid bat of the year found in Bannock County

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)—Idaho's first bat to test positive for rabies this year was located in Bannock County.

Southeastern Idaho Public Health confirmed the case on Tuesday.

Rabies is a fatal viral illness to humans and other animals.

“It is extremely important for people to avoid all bats and other wild animals, particularly if they appear sick or are acting aggressively or abnormally,” said Jeff Doerr, SIPH Epidemiologist, in a news release.

Doerr also strongly encourages owners to contact their veterinarian if they believe their pets, regardless of vaccination status, were in contact with a bat.

The health agency said most bats do not carry rabies, but they detect an average of 15 rabid bats each year in Idaho.

To protect yourself and your pets, public health officials recommend these guidelines:

• Never touch bats with your bare hands.

• Be very suspicious of bat activity during daylight hours.

• If you or your child wakes up in the presence of a bat, discuss the situation with your medical provider. Seemingly insignificant exposures have contributed to several fatal cases of rabies in the past.

• If you have an encounter with a bat, seek medical attention immediately. Save the bat in a container and contact your local public health office immediately for testing options. NEVER handle a bat with your bare hands—use gloves, a towel, etc.

• Because household pets and other animals can be exposed to the virus through contact with sick bats, it is important for people to make sure that their animals (dogs, cats, horses, and ferrets) are up to date on vaccinations against rabies. If your dog or cat brings a dead bat home, collect it in a plastic bag without touching it and call your local public health office for possible testing. Also, contact your veterinarian to make sure your animal’s rabies vaccinations are up-to-date.

• Bat-proof your home or cabin by checking chimneys, roof peaks, loose screening on louvers, dormer windows, or areas where flashing has pulled away from the roof or siding. Bats can enter through holes the size of a quarter. Typically, bat-proofing is best after bats have migrated away in the fall.

You can contact Southeastern Idaho Public Health Epidemiologist at 208-478-6303 for more information. You can also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/rabies/.