Public Health – Seattle & King County is alerting the community after a rabid bat was found on August 29, 2024, at 415 Rainier Ave N in Renton, in front of several businesses. Anyone who had contact with a bat in this area should seek medical evaluation immediately or contact Public Health at 206-296-4774 to determine if rabies preventive treatment is necessary.
Rabies is a life-threatening but preventable disease if treated before symptoms develop. The bat was reported by a local resident to a wildlife rehabilitation center on August 29 and was euthanized the same day. Public Health tested the bat and confirmed it was rabid on August 30.
At least two people have been identified as possibly exposed to the rabid bat, and both are being evaluated to determine the need for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Anyone who touched or had direct contact with the bat or its saliva could be at risk of contracting rabies, which is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. Immediate treatment is crucial to prevent the onset of symptoms.
“Rabies is treatable if caught before symptoms appear, so identifying anyone who has had contact with the bat as soon as possible is important,” said Elysia Gonzales, Medical Epidemiologist at Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Contact includes touching a bat, being bitten, scratched, or any other bare skin contact with a bat or its saliva.”
Pet owners should contact their veterinarians immediately if their animals might have been exposed to the bat. Dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses should be current on their rabies vaccinations, but they will need to be revaccinated if they had any contact with a bat.
Rabies is a viral disease of the central nervous system that is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear. It is typically transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. If a person or pet comes into contact with a bat, immediate medical attention is necessary.
What to do if you find a Bat:
If a bat is found inside your home or another enclosed space, contact Public Health at 206-296-4774 to determine if the bat needs to be tested for rabies. Testing is provided at no charge under specific conditions.
• Live bats that have had direct contact with a person’s bare skin or a pet, or were found in the room where someone was sleeping, should be captured and tested.
• Dead bats should be handled with gloves or a shovel and placed in a box for testing, not discarded.
• If a bat has not made contact with a person or pet, open windows to let it exit and close doors to other parts of the home while keeping pets away from the bat’s location.
For more information on safely capturing a bat and preventing encounters, visit kingcounty.gov/bats.