A bat found in the Albany area on September 22 has tested positive for rabies.
Linn County health officials are reminding residents to avoid all contact with bats and other wild animals.
This case is part of a wider pattern of bat rabies activity across Oregon this year. Statewide, as of July, 22 bats had tested positive for rabies.
Rabies is a virus that attacks the nervous system. It is spread from infected mammals to humans and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Rabies is preventable if people get medical care before symptoms begin. In Oregon, bats are the only wild species that naturally carry and sustain the rabies virus. Other animals, including foxes, skunks, cats and dogs, can become infected after contact with a rabid bat.
What residents should do
Never touch a bat, alive or dead, with bare hands. Not all bats have rabies, but there is no way to tell by looking.
A bat that is active during the day, found on the ground, or unable to fly is more likely to be sick.
Bat bites can be tiny and easy to miss. If you’ve touched a bat, woken up with a bat in your room, or aren’t sure whether you were bitten or scratched, contact a healthcare provider or Linn County Health Services right away.
If a bat is in your home and you cannot rule out exposure, leave it alone and contact Linn County Health Services for help. If possible, close the bat in a room rather than letting it go, so it can be tested.
If you are bitten or scratched, wash the area well with soap and water and get medical advice immediately.
Make sure your dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies.
Teach children to leave bats alone and to tell an adult if they find one.
To report an exposure or ask questions, call Linn County Health Services at 541-967- 3888 ext. 2488 (Monday—Friday, 8:30 a.m.—5 p.m.) or 541)-750-0090 after business hours.
For more information, visit linncountyhealth.org.