RABIES

Oregon State University, Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory, has confirmed two positive bats for rabies; one found on a trail on May 25 in Jackson County and a second bat May 28 in Cornelius, Washington County. So far in 2010, one goat and three foxes have also tested positive for rabies in Josephine County in addition to the two above mentioned bats.

This is a reminder to stay away from bats, especially those that may be sick, flopping around, or acting otherwise unusual. Most human exposures to bat rabies occur because someone decided to handle an obviously sick bat. While bats play a valuable role in nature, contact with humans should be avoided.

If you do have an exposure (e.g. scratch or bite) from a bat, immediately clean the wound. If the bat has been captured, do not crush the bat or throw it away as intact bats can be tested for rabies so post-exposure rabies shots can be avoided.
 

To protect your dog and cat, make sure their rabies vaccinations are up-to-date. Dogs and cats that do not have current vaccinations are subject to six month quarantine or euthanasia under Oregon law. Vaccinated animals exposed to a bat or any other rabid animal have to be quarantined for 45 days.

About 10% of the bats tested for rabies are positive. However, typically only bats that have had human or animal exposure are tested. The incidence of rabies in wild bat populations is less than 1%.

Bats are a critical part of our ecosystem. They remove millions of mosquitoes and other insects from our environment providing an important ecological service. Unfortunately, due to habitat loss, most species of bats are now listed as a Sensitive Species in Oregon.