Boulder County health officials said on average about 15% of bats tested for rabies tested positive.
BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. — Three bats recently found in separate locations in Boulder County have tested positive for rabies, the Boulder County Public Health Department said in a statement.
The bat was discovered by a resident.
Boulder County Health Department We would like to remind people to avoid direct contact with wild animals to prevent the spread of rabies.
“Rabies is most commonly transmitted when people or pets come into contact with wild animals, pick up a bat that has fallen on the ground, or try to remove it from a home or property,” says Carly Wilson, an environmental health specialist with Boulder County Public Health. “It’s common to find bats hiding under eaves or porch overhangs or behind shutters or gutters, but they should not be touched.”
Rabies is a contagious viral disease that attacks the nervous system and is almost always fatal if not treated before symptoms appear, health officials say.
People who have been infected with rabies must undergo a series of vaccinations.
On average, about 15 percent of bats tested for rabies test positive, according to Boulder County health officials. Other animals that can carry rabies include foxes, raccoons and skunks.
Residents who find a bat inside their home are asked to call non-emergency lines and contact animal control.
Health officials recommend taking the following precautions to reduce the risk of contracting rabies:
- Do not touch any unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. Contact animal control to have the animal removed.
- Wash any wounds caused by animals thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
- Keep all dogs, cats and ferrets up to date on vaccinations. Keep cats and ferrets indoors and dogs under direct supervision.
- If a person or pet has been bitten or exposed to a wild animal, contact BCPH or Animal Control.
- If the bat has come into contact with a person or livestock, place a container over the bat and contact an animal control officer to have it removed for rabies testing.
