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.

Rabid bat found near Alki Beach Pier in West Seattle

October 6, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

A rabid bat was found by the sidewalk adjacent to the Duwamish Head Condominiums (1140 Alki Ave SW) on September 18 – 19, 2022, near Alki Beach Pier in West Seattle. If you or someone you know had any contact with a bat near this area, seek medical evaluation immediately or contact Public Health – Seattle & King County.

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. 

Rabid bat found on the sidewalk near the corner of Ballard Ave NW and 22nd Ave NW in Seattle

July 21, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

Rabid bat found in Ballard neighborhood. Anyone who may have had contact with this bat should seek medical evaluation immediately.

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.

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 […]