Whatcom County Health and Community Services is urging residents to avoid all contact with wild bats after two bats tested positive for rabies this week. One bat was found in south Bellingham; the other was located near Sumas. Health officials stress there is no outbreak or heightened neighborhood risk, but the findings are a timely reminder that bat encounters are more common during summer months.
What the Positive Tests Mean for Residents
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the nervous system. Once symptoms appear, it is nearly always fatal. However, it is 100 percent preventable with prompt medical care following a potential exposure, making early action essential.
Between 5 and 10 percent of sick, injured, or dead bats submitted for testing by the Washington State Department of Health test positive for rabies. The department estimates the actual percentage of the wild bat population carrying the disease is probably less than 1 percent. Still, because you cannot tell whether a bat is rabid by looking at it, the safest approach is to assume any bat you encounter could be infected.
"Sometimes we get questions about what part of Whatcom County a rabid bat was found in," said Tom Kunesh, Program Supervisor at Whatcom County Health and Community Services. "Bats are mobile creatures, and people should avoid contact with bats, regardless of the location." Kunesh also emphasized the importance of keeping pets current on rabies vaccinations, noting that cats and dogs that encounter sick bats are at real risk.
How to Respond to a Bat Encounter
If you find a bat in your living space, do not handle it with your bare hands under any circumstances. Only attempt to capture a bat if it has had direct contact with a person or pet, or was found in a room where someone was sleeping and may not have noticed contact. In those situations, use thick gloves or a container to contain the bat without touching it, and contact the Whatcom Humane Society's Animal Control services at 360-733-2080 for assistance.
If you find a live bat outdoors, leave it alone. Bats are a protected species in Washington state and play a critical ecological role by consuming large quantities of insects. A bat flying outside is not cause for alarm.
If you find a dead bat outside and are certain no person or animal has touched it, wear thick gloves or double-bag it without direct hand contact and place it in the trash. Do not touch it with bare hands even if it looks undisturbed.
If you think you or a pet may have been exposed, the county health department uses four steps they call the "Four C's": Clean the bite or scratch site with soap and water for at least 10 minutes. Capture the bat safely if possible. Contact your health care provider. Call Whatcom County Health and Community Services at 360-778-6000. The health department will help determine whether the bat needs to be tested for rabies and what follow-up steps are required.
Protecting Pets and Bat-Proofing Your Home
Dogs and cats are typically vaccinated against rabies before they turn 6 months old, then one year later, and then every three years. If your pet's vaccination is overdue, this week's findings are a good reason to contact your veterinarian. A pet that encounters a rabid bat but is current on its vaccination is in a far better position than one that is not.
To reduce the chance of bats entering your home, make sure all windows and doors are properly screened, and seal any openings that lead to crawl spaces or attics. Bats can fit through gaps as small as a quarter-inch, and they often roost in attics during summer. Homes with known bat colonies should be assessed by a wildlife professional before any exclusion work is attempted, as bats cannot be excluded during pupping season when young cannot yet fly.
For more information, visit Whatcom County Health and Community Services online or call 360-778-6000. Printed handouts in English and Spanish are also available through the department for parents and educators who want to share bat safety guidance with children.
