Rabid bat found in King County: What you should know to protect yourself, your family, and your pets

June 13, 2023.Reading time 7 minutes.

An eastern King County resident and their unvaccinated puppy were exposed to rabies after potentially coming in contact with a bat in the bushes near their home. The bat was collected and sent to the Washington State Public Health Lab where it tested positive for rabies. In situations like these, Public Health will make recommendations for potentially exposed humans and animals.

BAT POSITIVE FOR RABIES FOUND IN KING COUNTY

May 10, 2021.Reading time 6 minutes.

As the weather warms up in King County, bats come out of hibernation, which means a big increase in human-bat interactions compared to other times of year.  Bats that are infected with rabies can spread the infection to humans who have bare skin contact with  bats or bat saliva. 

Bats & Rabies: What you need to know

July 17, 2020.Reading time 7 minutes.

Each summer, we receive between 70 to 100 reports of people being exposed to rabid bats in King County. And, in the recent weeks we’ve received reports of two rabid bats that interacted with humans. If you had contact with a bat, or even woke up in a room with a bat inside, you should call your medical provider immediately, in addition to reporting the exposure to Public Health at: 206-296-4774.

7 things you should know about bats & rabies

August 22, 2019.Reading time 7 minutes.

70% of Americans who die from rabies in the US were infected by bats – CDC Vital Signs As the weather warms up in King County, adult bats come out of hibernation, baby bats are learning to fly, and humans get outdoors, which means a big increase in human-bat interactions compared to other times of year. Bats can be infected […]

Two rabid bats found on the sidewalk near the corner of B Street NE and 3rd Street NE in Auburn

August 16, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

Auburn Animal Control services were notified the morning of August 13 of two bats (1 dead, the other appeared sick) on the sidewalk near the corner of B Street NE and 3rd Street NE in Auburn. Public Health conducted an investigation and did not identify anyone who had contact with the bats. The bats tested […]

5 things to know about bats and rabies

July 20, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

Public Health Insider has reported on multiple incidents of human/bat interactions this summer – a bat in a park bathroom, a bat at an equestrian center and a bat near Husky Stadium. Statewide, bat-human encounters broke a record this spring. So what are the essential 5 things to know about bats? Read on: 1. Anyone […]