Rabid Bats Found In Boulder County

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — Three bats found in Boulder County have tested positive for rabies, public health officials said.

The first bat was found in Longmont Aug. 25 after it went into a home, Boulder County Public Health said.

Then a bat was found Aug. 26 in Hygiene when it was captured by a cat, the agency said. Another bat was found the same day in Lyons after someone saw their dog sniffing the dead animal.

"Public Health officials conducted a risk assessment for all affected people and pets in each location," Boulder County Public Health said in a news release. "Fortunately, all of the pets who may have contacted the infected animals were current on their rabies vaccinations."

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Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system. The disease is always fatal unless it is treated before any symptoms appear, health officials said.

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, health officials said. Treatment for rabies exposure involves a series of vaccinations.

“Rabies is a deadly disease if it is not treated promptly,” said Carol McInnes, Boulder County Public Health environmental health specialist.

“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.”

Public health officials recommend that the following precautions be taken to reduce the risk of exposure to rabies:

• Do not handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. Contact animal control to collect the animal.
• Thoroughly wash any wound caused by an animal with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
• Keep vaccinations current for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. Keep cats and ferrets inside and dogs under direct supervision.
• Contact your local public health department or animal control if people or pets have been bitten or exposed to a bat.
• Contact your local animal control officer to collect the bat for rabies testing.

Bats are the most common animal source of rabies in Colorado. On average, around 15 percent of bats submitted for rabies testing test positive for the disease, health officials said. Over the past few years, skunks have been a significant source of rabies throughout eastern Colorado and the now the Front Range, health officials said. Other wild animals that may carry rabies include raccoons and foxes.

Residents who find a bat that may have come in contact with a person, pet or livestock should call their local animal control office. For questions about human contact with a bat, call the Colorado Health Information Line at 1-877-462-2911.

>> General information about rabies in Boulder County can be found here.