Three bats found in Boulder County have recently tested positive for rabies, according to Boulder County Public Health.
According to a release, the bats were found in separate locations across the county and were submitted for rabies testing after being discovered by residents.
The release did not specify exactly where and when the bats were found.
“Exposure to rabies happens most commonly when people or pets interact with wildlife, pick up a bat off the ground or try to remove it from their home or property,” Carly Wilson, Boulder County Public Health environmental health specialist, said in a statement. “Finding a bat hanging under the eaves of a house, under a porch overhang or hidden behind shutters or gutters is normal. However, you should not touch them.”
Wilson also stated that if a child or pet has come into contact with a bat, residents should call Boulder County Public Health at 303-441-1564.
Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal unless treated before symptoms appear, according to the release.
Exposure to rabies is generally the result of a bite or scratch by an infected animal and it is sometimes “practically undetectable, such as a tiny puncture of the skin by a bat.” According to the release, treatment for rabies exposure involves a series of vaccinations.
To reduce the risk of rabies exposure, public health officials recommend not handling unfamiliar wild or domestic animals, even if they appear to be friendly. Additionally, officials request that residents thoroughly wash any wound caused by an animal with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately, keep vaccinations current for all animals and contact Boulder County Public Health or animal control if people or pets have been bitten or exposed to a wild animal.
If a bat has come into contact with a person or domestic animal, officials recommend placing a container over it and calling dispatch so an animal control officer can collect it for rabies testing.
On average, about 15% of bats submitted for rabies testing test positive for the disease, according to the release.
Other wild animals that may carry rabies include skunks, raccoons and foxes.
For questions about human contact with a bat, call the Colorado Health Information Line at 877-462-2911.
For general information about rabies, visit boco.org/Rabies.
