07/18/2024
‼️There have been positive cases of rabies in our bat population here in Central Oregon! If you encounter any wildlife, pay attention to any odd behaviors they may be exhibiting, and avoid contact with bats. To keep your pets safest, make sure their rabies vaccines are up to date!
A sick bat found in southwest Bend last week has tested positive for rabies, and Deschutes County Public Health is encouraging residents to take necessary precautions to protect their families and pets from the viral disease.
Rabies is spread to humans and pets through a bite or scratch from an infected animal. While a post exposure vaccination is effective, the best way to avoid rabies is to take the following precautions:
• Avoid physical contact with bats – healthy, sick, alive, or dead. Be sure to keep children and pets away from bats.
• Do not hand feed or otherwise handle stray animals and wildlife.
• Vaccinate all dogs, cats and ferrets against rabies. This protects them and provides an immune barrier between humans and wild animals.
If you see a bat that is active during the day, is in an unusual location (like inside a home), or is flopping around on the ground and unable to fly, take children and pets to a safe location and call the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) at (541) 388-6363 or contact a local Wildlife Control Operator. https://bit.ly/3WpNBJ8
If a person or pet does come in physical contact with a bat or is bitten by an animal, promptly report it to Deschutes County Animal Control at (541) 693-6911 or Deschutes County Environmental Health at (541) 317-3114.
For more information about rabies, please review resources from the Oregon Health Authority https://bit.ly/3DAGmDU and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://bit.ly/2rMY3f3
