Deschutes County says two bats found in southeast Bend recently tested positive for rabies.
The county didn’t give any other details about exactly where and when the bats were found and tested or if any people or animals were bitten.
Rabies is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal.
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Deschutes County said prevention is the best plan to avoid infection. Here are some tips:
- Avoid physical contact with bats – healthy, sick, alive, or dead. Be sure to keep children and pets away from bats.
- Do not hand feed or otherwise handle stray animals and wildlife.
- Vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies. This protects them and provides an immune barrier between humans and wild animals.
Sick bats may be seen flopping around on the ground or otherwise acting unusually.
Deschutes County says if you find a sick bat or other sick wildlife on your property, take children and pets indoors and call the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) at (541) 388-6363 or contact a local Wildlife Control Operator.
It’s also a reminder to be sure pets are updated on their rabies vaccinations. Under Oregon law, dogs and cats that do not have current vaccinations and are suspected of exposure to rabies must be euthanized or placed under strict quarantine for four months.
If a person or pet does come in physical contact with a bat or is bitten by an animal in Deschutes County, report it to Deschutes County Animal Control at (541) 693-6911 or Deschutes County Environmental Health at (541) 317-3114.
