08/16/2026
A bat found in a room where people had been sleeping in Ferry County tested positive for rabies in July, according to a press release issued by the Northeast Tri County Health District (NETCHD) on Aug. 4. The exposed individuals have begun preventive treatment.
“This is not an outbreak,” stated NETCHD Environmental Health Director Jon Ness. “It is not uncommon for a bat now and then to test positive. When we see a positive rabies test, we let the public know, to raise awareness.”
According to studies completed by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), 13 bats have tested positive for rabies in Washington as of Aug. 8.
https://www.statesmanexaminer.com/articles/rabies-detected-in-ferry-county-bat-in-room-with-sleeping-people