09/10/2026
In the PNW, bats are the most common carrier of rabies. But most bats do not have rabies. Healthy bats tend to avoid contact with humans. Bats who are out during the day, are found in unusual places, cannot fly, or make contact with you may have rabies or another illness.
If your dog or cat finds a bat, do not touch the bat with your bare hands. If a human had contact with the bat (scratch, bite, contact with bat saliva), contact Asotin County Health District.
Because rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms develop, potential exposure to a rabid animal is taken very seriously. Preventative rabies vaccine for pets and post-exposure prophylaxis for humans are both extremely effective at preventing rabies if exposure does happen.
