3 Boulder County bats test positive for rabies

DENVER (KDVR) — Boulder County officials are urging residents to avoid contact with wild animals and maintain their pets’ vaccines after three bats found in the county tested positive for the virus.

The bats were in separate locations across the county and submitted to Boulder County Public Health by residents.

Although far from the first positive cases of rabies in bats this year in Colorado, the positive rabies cases highlight the importance of not being exposed to wildlife. As of July 17, 26 animals had tested positive for rabies this year in Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. About 13 people have been exposed to the virus so far this year, and 16 domestic pets.

Boulder County Public Health Environmental Specialist Carly Wilson said people or pets are most commonly exposed to rabies when interacting with wildlife, like picking up a bat or trying to remove it from a home or property.

“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 explained in a Boulder County release. “If there’s any chance that you, your child or your pet has come in contact with a bat, contact us as soon as possible by calling 303-441-1564.”

The Boulder County agency said that the infectious viral disease affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal unless the patient receives treatment before symptoms appear. An animal bite or scratch is a common method of exposure to rabies. These bites or scratches are “sometimes practically undetectable, such as a tiny puncture of the skin by a bat,” the agency said in a release.

Protecting yourself and your pets from rabies

Rabies can be treated through a series of vaccinations. However, officials recommend the following precautions to prevent rabies exposure:

• Do not handle unfamiliar animals, both wild and domestic, even if the animal seems friendly
  • Contact animal control to have the animal collected
• Thoroughly wash wounds caused by animals with soap and water
  • Also, seek medical attention immediately
• Keep all dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinations up to date
  • Keep cats and ferrets indoors and keep dogs under direct supervision
• Contact the county health department or animal control if a person or pet has been bitten or exposed to a wild animal
• Place a container over bats that have come in contact with a person or domestic animal and call dispatch so animal control can collect the animal for testing

Boulder County Public Health said that an average of 15% of bats submitted for rabies testing are positive for the disease, but many other wild animals may carry the virus.

Anyone with questions about human contact with a bat can call the Colorado Health Information Line at 1-877-462-2911. General information on rabies can be found at boco.org/Rabies .

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