Stay away from bats and take protective measures around your home



KPHD - small [ www.kitsappublichealth.org ]

 



________________________________________________________________________


KPHD News big brown bat

*July 10, 2024*

Bats and rabies: How to prevent exposure for people and pets

"Bats can carry rabies, a deadly viral disease that affects mammals (including humans).  "

________________________________________________________________________



Bats are most active during warm summer months. While bats play an important role in our ecosystem [ [link removed]. ], they can spread rabies.

In Washington state, *bats are the only animal known to carry* *rabies. *Rabies [ [link removed] ] is a disease caused by a virus. It infects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) of people and animals. Rabies infection almost always causes death. However, people who are exposed to rabies can prevent infection by getting prompt medical treatment.

Bats can spread rabies by biting, scratching, or licking a person or animal. Most bats do not have rabies, but it's important to *keep your family and pets safe by avoiding contact with bats and making sure pets are vaccinated.* 

updated fact sheet graphic [ [link removed] ]
PREVENTING EXPOSURE TO RABIES 

*The key to avoiding rabies is keeping bats out of your home*. Add  screens to windows and doors and cover openings that could allow bats into your home. 

*Avoid touching bats. *Teach children to never touch bats and to tell an adult if they find a bat at home, at school, or with a pet. Never pick up a bat with bare hands, even if it appears sick or injured.  

It is always safest to enjoy wildlife from a distance. Do not attempt to feed or touch wild animals. 

*Protect your pets by vaccinating them against rabies.* All dogs, cats, and ferrets in Washington state must have up-to-date rabies vaccines. [ [link removed] ] 

________________________________________________________________________



WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE CONTACT WITH A BAT

If you or a loved one knows they had contact with a bat, or thinks they may have had contact with a bat, be sure to: 


* *Look all over your body for bites or scratches.* Bats have very small teeth, so the bites may not be immediately visible. 
* *Wash the bite, scratch, or contact area(s) immediately* with soap and water for at least 10 minutes. 
* *If possible, try to *safely capture the bat for rabies testing [ [link removed] ]. Wear thick gloves when handling the bat.  
* *Contact your healthcare provider or Kitsap Public Health District* at 360-728-2235. 

*If you think your pet had contact with a bat,* contact your veterinarian. 

________________________________________________________________________



RESOURCES

* Bat Conservation International's page about bats [ [link removed] ]
* CDC's general information on rabies [ [link removed] ]
* Washington State Department of Health's rabies activity records [ [link removed] ]
* Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's article on living with bats [ [link removed] ]
* Kitsap Public Health's bats and rabies page [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________



*Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer*
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 - office | (360) 728-2235 - main
[email protected] | kitsappublichealth.org [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________


KPHD PHAB [ www.kitsappublichealth.org ]


KPHD Logo

*Contact us:*

Email <[email protected]> or call 360-728-2235

*Stay connected with Kitsap Public Health:* Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] Instagram [ [link removed] ]Vimeo [ [link removed] ] Sign up for email updates [ [link removed] ]


*Manage your subscriptions: *
Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]  |  Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Kitsap County Washington · 619 Division Street · Port Orchard, WA 98366 · 360-337-5777 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]