3 receiving preventive treatment after exposure to rabid bat in Snohomish County home - KOMO

Three Snohomish County residents are receiving preventive treatment for rabies after being exposed to a bat that tested positive for the virus, county health officials said Friday. The bat flew into a private home Sunday night in rural eastern Snohomish County and was captured and taken to a wildlife center the next day, according to health officials. Testing conducted by the Washington State Public Health Laboratory confirmed on Wednesday that the bat was positive for rabies. It is the first bat in Snohomish County to test positive for rabies since 2023. The three people exposed to the bat are undergoing treatment that includes a series of rabies vaccinations and a dose of human rabies immune globulin, which provides immediate antibodies while the vaccine takes effect. The treatment is nearly 100% effective in preventing rabies, health officials said. Rabies in Washington State Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal if not treated promptly. People can become infected through bites or scratches from infected animals. In Washington state, bats are the only known natural carriers of rabies. Other animals, including unvaccinated dogs and cats, can also become infected after exposure to the virus. Health officials emphasized that rabies remains rare among bats. Fewer than 1% of wild bats carry the virus. Over the past decade, six bats in Snohomish County have tested positive for rabies. The bat identified this week is the second rabid bat confirmed in Washington state this year. The case comes as bats emerge from winter hibernation and residents spend more time outdoors during warmer weather. “Bat season has officially started,” said Susan Babcock, a public health nurse with the Snohomish County Health Department’s prevention services division. “Be respectful of bats and other wildlife by avoiding touching or handling them.” Health officials urged residents to take precautions to reduce the risk of exposure. Recommended measures include sealing small openings in homes, capping chimneys, installing screens on windows and vents, and keeping exterior doors closed. Officials also advised pet owners to ensure dogs and cats are up to date on rabies vaccinations. Rabies prevention When cleaning attics, barns, outbuildings, or cabins where bats may be present, residents should wear leather gloves, long sleeves and pants, and a wide-brimmed hat, officials said. People should only attempt to capture bats that have had direct contact with a person or pet, were found in a room with a sleeping person, or were in a room with a child. Bats should never be handled with bare hands. Residents concerned about a possible exposure involving a bat in their home are advised to contact their local health department. In Snohomish County, the number is 425-339-3503.