Did you encounter a bat in downtown Boise? Why you may need a rabies test
Public health officials are urging Idahoans to take precautions and avoid any contact with bats after a rabid bat was found in downtown Boise.
The bat was found Tuesday on a sidewalk on Bannock Street, across from Cecil D. Andrus Park, according to a news release from Central District Health. The bat tested positive for rabies Wednesday.
This is the fourth rabid bat found in Idaho this year. Two were reported in Bannock County and one in Madison County, according to the release. Typically, 15 rabid bats are found each year in Idaho.
“If you handled a bat in the downtown Boise area in the last week, it is important that you contact your primary care provider immediately to discuss the situation and determine if rabies shots are warranted,” State Public Health Veterinarian Leslie Tengelsen said in the news release. “Bat bites are extremely small and hard to see, so if there is any chance you handled a bat near the park, talk to your health care provider. If your pet picked up a bat near the park, even if currently vaccinated against rabies, talk to your veterinarian about getting your pet a rabies booster.”
Rabies can be fatal to both people and pets, the Boise-based health district said. Though most bats do not have rabies, they are the most common animal to be rabid in Idaho.
Any resident that had an encounter with the bat found near Bannock Street is asked to call Central District Health to speak with an epidemiologist at 208-375-5211.
Two other dead bats might have been in the same area last week, according to the news release. If anyone finds other dead or dying bats in the area, they are asked to call the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at 208-465-8465.
Central District Health offers tips to protect yourself:
- Never touch a bat with your bare hands.
Be “very suspicious” of any bats that are found on the ground.
If you touch or come into contact with a bat, get medical help.
If you are trying to save a bat, use thick gloves or some method to transfer the bat into a container without touching it.
- Contact your local public health district for testing.
Vaccinate your pets.
Bat-proof your home.
