Protect Family and Pets from Rabies This Summer

Deschutes County Oregon -- 7/14/2011 --

Deschutes County health officials report three bats in Oregon have tested positive for rabies in the last three weeks. None were located in Deschutes County but it is important to take necessary precautions this summer while enjoying the outdoors.

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system and is almost always caused by exposure to a rabid animal. Exposure is usually through a bite but can also occur through scratches. It is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. Human rabies is rare in the United States with two to six cases per year.

Here are some tips you can follow to keep family and pets safe from contracting rabies:

1.Avoid physical contact with all bats – healthy, sick, alive, or dead. Be sure to keep children and pets away from bats.

2.Do not hand feed or otherwise handle stray animals and wildlife.

3.Vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies. This protects them and provides an immune barrier between humans and wild animals.

Bats, which are most active in warm weather, are an important and interesting part of the Central Oregon ecosystem. They provide many benefits including insect control. Bats often eat mosquitoes and can catch over 1,000 insects an hour. Unfortunately, bats can also carry rabies and infect other animals and/or humans. Of the sick and dead bats tested in Oregon during the last 10 years, about 9.5 percent have had rabies.

"If a bat is out during daylight hours, it's probably not healthy and should be avoided," says Deschutes County Health Communications Coordinator Heather Kaisner. If a person or pet does come in contact with a bat or is bitten by an animal in Deschutes County, promptly call the County’s Health Department at (541) 322-7418. It's important pets have current rabies vaccinations. If an unvaccinated pet is exposed to rabies, the recommendation is that it be euthanized.

For more information about rabies prevention or other health information, please call the Deschutes County Health Services Department at (541) 322-7418 or visit www.deschutes.org.