This Northern Longeared bat is one of over 100 species of bats that devour its body weight in insects.
BLCKFOOT – A rabid bat was found in Bingham County recently and a Southeast Idaho Public Health (SIPH) spokesperson is warning people to be vigilant and keep an eye out for the fury little critters. There have been five bats that have tested positive for rabies in Southeast Idaho and eight in the whole state.
While most bats don’t carry rabies, rabies is a virtually 100 percent fatal viral illness in 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. “I strongly encourage owners to contact their veterinarian if they believe their pets, regardless of vaccination status, were in contact with a bat.”
Bats have a natural reservoir of the rabies virus in Idaho and should always be avoided. An average of 15 rabid bats are detected in the whole state of Idaho each year. There is no area of Idaho that is rabies-free.
The most common ways people may encounter a bat is when a pet brings one into the home or a bat enters a home through a small opening or open windows and doors. If anyone finds a bat in their room and may not be sure whether they were bitten or scratched while they slept they should contact their public health office.
Bats should be tested for rabies if there is any chance a person, pet, or livestock might have been in contact with it. There is no need to test a bat that has had no interaction with people, pets, or livestock.
SIPH recommends people protect themselves, their pets and public using the following 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.
For further information about rabies contact Southeastern Idaho Public Health’s Epidemiologists, at 208-478-6303, or visit SIPH’s website at www.siphidaho.org or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/rabies/ .