Warmer weather means bats come out of hibernation. Bats are most active and visible in the Pacific Northwest from March through November. Bats can be infected with rabies and can spread that infection to humans who have bare skin contact with bats or bat saliva.
Each summer, we receive between 70 to 100 reports of people being exposed to bats in King County.
If you had contact with a bat, or even woke up in a room with a bat inside, report the exposure to Public Health at: 206-296-4774. You should also call your medical provider immediately.
Here are important things to know about bats and rabies. Protect your friends, family, and children from rabies by sharing this information with them.
Bats are the main source of rabies in Washington State
All mammals can get rabies, but in Washington State, bats are the primary animals that carry rabies. Approximately 3% (581) of 17,340 animals that were tested for rabies in Washington State tested positive for the virus. Almost all of the animals that tested positive were bats.
If you see a bat, do not touch it!
Any bare skin contact with a bat or its saliva, or waking up to a bat in your room, could put you at risk for exposure to rabies. Teach your kids not to touch bats, or any wild animal, and be sure to keep your pets away from bats.
If you think you or your children or pets may have touched or had contact with a bat, take immediate action:
- Immediately wash the area that came into contact with the bat thoroughly with soap and water.
- Call Public Health: 206-296-4774 to report the exposure and assess whether you might have been exposed to rabies and whether the bat should be tested for rabies
- Contact your medical provider as soon as possible to assess whether you or the exposed person may need a series of rabies vaccinations and immune globulin to prevent death.
If you think you had contact with a bat, try to trap it safely! Never handle a bat with bare hands. Trapping it means it can be tested for rabies and people potentially exposed can get the treatment they need. More information on how to safely catch a bat and have it tested for rabies can be found on Public Health’s bats and rabies webpage.
Pets are at-risk for getting rabies from bats, too
In Washington State, all dogs, cats and ferrets are required to be up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. Vaccinate your pets for prevention. Talk to your veterinarian to see if your pet needs to update their rabies vaccine.
If you suspect your pet has come into contact with a bat, call your veterinarian, even if your pet is up to date on its vaccinations. Your veterinarian may need to give it a booster shot to protect it!
Never touch wild animals
In Washington state, bats are the main animal known to be carry rabies. Rabies is extremely rare in other animals in Washington.
Still, it’s important to avoid contact with unfamiliar animals.
If you are bitten by an unfamiliar pet or a wild animal, immediately wash the area with soap and water and seek medical attention. Even if the bite seems minor, it’s crucial to seek professional medical care promptly. Call Public Health – Seattle & King County at 206-296-4774 to report the bite and to determine whether you might have been exposed to rabies and should receive treatment.
- Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans, uncovered compost bins, or pet food left outside.
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Call animal control, an animal rescue agency or wildlife rehabilitator like PAWS Wildlife Center for assistance with sick wild animals.
- Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
- Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood.
If you have problems with bats getting inside your house, you can do a lot to make your home more bat-proof. Putting screens on windows can prevent bats from accidentally flying into your home. Sometimes, bats are attracted to nesting in attics or inside a wall. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has excellent tips on easy things you can do to your home or building to prevent bats from getting inside.
Most bats don’t have rabies, but assume all bats may have rabies
It is estimated that less than 1% of bats are infected with rabies. You cannot tell if a bat has rabies by looking at it; only testing the brain tissue on a dead bat can confirm if a bat has rabies (live bats are humanely euthanized before they can be tested for rabies).
Bats are a vital part of our local ecosystem. There are over 15 species of bats in Washington State and they eat large amounts of night-flying insects like mosquitos, termites, and agricultural pests, reducing the risk of mosquito-related diseases and the need for pesticides in our community.
Originally published September 2, 2025.