Rabies Detected in Ferry County Bat in Room With Sleeping People

A bat found in a room where people had been sleeping in Ferry County tested positive for rabies in July according to a press release issued by the Northeast Tri County Health District (NETCHD) on Aug. 4. The exposed individuals have begun preventive treatment. “This is not an outbreak,” stated NETCHD Environmental Health Director Jon Ness. “It is not uncommon for a bat now and then to test positive. When we see a positive rabies test, we let the public know, to raise awareness.” According to studies completed by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), 13 bats have tested positive for rabies in Washington as of Aug. 8. In the period between 2015 and 2024, there were an average of 15.5 bats per year for the state that tested positive for rabies, according to the department.

DOH officials said rabies is a virus that is found in the saliva and brain tissue of infected mammals. It can be spread through contact with mucous membranes, cuts, and wounds. Contact such as petting an animal or exposure to feces, urine, or blood does not result in rabies infection. “Bats are the only animal where rabies is a reservoir,” Ness said. “One percent of the bat population carries rabies. It is endemic in bats.” He added, “In the Pacific Northwest, there have only been one or two incidences in the past 25 years where rabies shows up in another animal. Occasionally, a cat or dog can test positive, but it is a very few. Between 3-10% of bats that have been tested for rabies test positive.”

Rabies can take up to several months for symptoms to appear; however, they usually manifest between two and eight weeks, according to DOH. Officials said symptoms include headache and fever, which can progress to severe neurologic illness. Once symptoms develop, it is 100% fatal, DOH officials said. According to the department, rabies in humans is 100% preventable through prompt and appropriate medical care. If there is a potential exposure to rabies – for example, if a bat was found in the house and made contact with a person – then it is recommended to treat with Post Exposure Prophylaxis immediately. The DOH said treatment consists of a series of four shots and is effective as a pre-exposure vaccination or a treatment for those who have been exposed up to the time that symptoms appear. “If bats are simply flying through the air, that does not count as exposure,” said Ness.

“However, if bats make contact, whether it’s through direct contact, scratching, or biting, then it is important to immediately contact a health care provider.” He continued, “Unfortunately, there is no way to test a living person to see if s/he has been infected with rabies. The only way to test for rabies is postmortem through brain tissue.” NETCHD recommends tips in order to stay safe from possible rabies exposure. Ness stated, “Around the house, keep bats out of the attic, look for entry points, and find out how the bats get in. Vaccinate your pets. Keep screens on windows, and monitor vents and chimneys, making sure they are closed when not in use. Keep doors, windows, and pet doors closed at night.”

Additionally, the DOH suggests never handling a bat with bare hands. An animal scratch or bite should immediately be washed with soap and water, and both a medical care provider and the local health department should be contacted immediately, according to DOH. “Although one bat testing positive for rabies is not an outbreak, we have certainly seen an increase in bat encounters statewide. We are testing more bats than normal,” Ness said. “The more that people are aware, the more they call. We at NETCHD have seen more calls regarding concerns about bat encounters.” He added, “In the past three weeks, there has been some speculation that the smoke from recent fires drives bats indoors, but there is no hard data to support that. I think it’s a possibility that bats could be displaced due to the smoke and are seeking refuge.”

For more information on bats, rabies, treatment, and safe practices, contact NETCHD at 509-684- 2262, or visit their website, netchd.org. Additional information can be found at the DOH website, doh.wa.gov.