A rabid bat was recently found in Summit County, the first confirmed rabid bat of summer.
It was discovered at a home in Silverthorne. No people or other animals were infected.
Last year in early August a visitor was bit by a rabid bat at a Keystone condo. The person recovered. It was the first confirmed rabid bat bite in Summit since 2020 and the first confirmed attack by a rabid bat since 2016.
“While rabies is common in the bat population, this most recent case reminds us to be aware of the risks associated with interacting with wildlife,” says Amy Wineland, director for Summit County Public Health. “Bats are not inherently bad; in fact, they are beneficial to the ecosystem and should be treated with the respect you would give to any other wild animal.”
What should you do if you suspect a diseased bat? Listen to the pros at Summit County Animal Control:
- If the bat is acting normal, and there has been no suspected exposure to humans or pets, leave it be. Bats found in the home can generally be released by turning off the lights and opening a door. Try to find how the bat entered the home to prevent it from happening again.
- If a human has definitively been bitten or scratched by a bat or other unfamiliar animal, thoroughly clean the wound with soap and running water for 5 minutes. Do not scrub or rub the wound. You should immediately seek medical attention for wound care and possible vaccines; contact a physician and Summit County Animal Control (970-668-3230) for assistance. If you are bitten by a dog, exchange information with the owner, including name, address and phone number.
- If there may have been a human or pet exposed to a bat or wild animal that is acting aggressively, you should contact Summit County Animal Control. They will work with Summit County Public Health to determine an appropriate response and arrange for testing if necessary.
- Bites or scratches can happen while sleeping or to unattended children or pets, and they may not leave an obvious wound. In these cases, it is recommended to err on the side of caution and contact Animal Control for advice and possible testing. Only bats with suspected exposure to people and pets will be considered for testing.
- If the bat has been captured or killed, do not release it to the outside as it may be needed for testing. Instead, enclose it in the room where you found it or cover it so that it cannot escape and call Animal Control. Animal Control will give you further instructions. It is important to act quickly, but not to panic.