A rabid bat was found in Independence and tested positive for rabies on Aug. 3. (Courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
A rabid bat was found at Independence’s River Front Park.
The Polk County Public Health Department and Oregon Health Authority said the bat tested positive on Aug. 3 at Oregon State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
It’s one of seven rabid bats found around the state this year. Very few bats in Oregon have rabies and rabies in other wildlife is even rarer, according to a press release from Polk County.
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks an infected animal’s nervous system.
Approximately 8% of the bats tested are found to have rabies every year in Oregon, the release said.
Dr. Emilio DeBess, Oregon Health Authority’s public health veterinarian, said people should never handle bats and make sure their pets are vaccinated to protect themselves from rabies.
“Unfortunately, bats often carry rabies. If you find a bat during the daylight hours, it is probably not healthy and should be avoided,” DeBess said in a prepared statement.
Sick bats may be seen flopping around on the ground or otherwise acting unusual. If you find a sick bat or other sick wildlife on your property, take children and pets indoors and do not handle the bats without protection. Use a disposable container with a lid to scoop the animal into the container and dispose of it in the trash. If a bat has had contact with a human or an animal, call your health department or animal services for guidance, the release said.
-Saphara Harrell
