POCATELLO — A bat found in Bannock County has tested positive for rabies, Southeastern Idaho Public Health confirmed Tuesday, marking the first confirmed rabid bat in southeastern Idaho and the state this year.
While most bats do not carry rabies, the virus is virtually always fatal in humans and animals once symptoms appear, health officials said.
“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.
Doerr also encouraged pet owners to contact their veterinarian if they believe their animals were in contact with a bat, regardless of vaccination status.
Bats are the only known natural reservoir of the rabies virus in Idaho, and no area of the state is considered rabies-free. An average of 15 rabid bats are detected in Idaho each year, health officials said.
The most common ways people encounter bats are when a pet brings one into the home or a bat enters through a small opening or open window or door. People may also wake up to find a bat in their room without knowing whether they were bitten or scratched while they slept. Anyone in that situation should contact their local public health office.
A bat should be tested for rabies if there is any chance a person, pet or livestock animal may have come in contact with it. No testing is needed if the bat had no interaction with people, pets or livestock.
Public health officials recommend the following precautions:
Never touch bats with bare hands.
Be suspicious of bat activity during daylight hours.
If you or your child wakes up in the presence of a bat, contact your medical provider. Even seemingly minor exposures have contributed to fatal rabies cases.
If you encounter a bat, seek medical attention immediately. Contain the bat using gloves or a towel — never bare hands — and contact your local public health office for testing options.
Keep dogs, cats, horses and ferrets up to date on rabies vaccinations. If a pet brings home a dead bat, collect it in a plastic bag without touching it and call your local public health office.
Bat-proof your home by checking chimneys, roof peaks, loose screening, dormer windows and areas where flashing has pulled away from the roof or siding. Bats can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter. Bat-proofing is most effective after bats have migrated in the fall.
For more information, contact Southeastern Idaho Public Health at 208-478-6303, visit siphidaho.org or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/rabies.