Rabid bat case spurs animal vaccination reminder

The Deschutes County Public Health Department reported Monday that a bat found in Sisters has tested positive for rabies. They urged people to avoid contact with bats and make sure their pets’ rabies vaccinations are up to date.

Confirmatory tests were performed at the Oregon State Public Health Lab after a Deschutes County resident noticed a dead bat in his dog’s mouth. The dog was current on the rabies vaccine and will undergo quarantine for 45 days after re-vaccination.

“Rabies is transmitted through the bites of an infected animal and while post exposure vaccination is effective,” the best plan is prevention, said Deschutes County Communicable Disease Program Supervisor Heather Kaisner.

“People should avoid contact with bats and vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies,” Kaisner said. “While bats play a valuable role in nature, contact with humans should be avoided.”

The case is one of only a handful typically confirmed each year in Oregon. So far this year, three other bats around the state have tested positive for the illness.

The last case in Deschutes County was in October of last year.

ODFW wildlife biologist Corey Heath told NewsChannel 21 most bats do not have rabies. He said he estimates 1/2 to 3 percent of bats on the High Desert carry the disease.

Health officials warn that people should treat all bats like they do have rabies; these mammals carry rabies more than any other animal in Central Oregon.

“Rabies is a 100 percent fatal disease, if you get it,” Dr. Janet Ladyga of Blue Sky Veterinary Clinic said Monday.

Ladyga said you can vaccinate your cat or dog as early as 12 weeks. They must be re-vaccinated after one year. After that, pets should get a rabies vaccination booster every three years.

In her experience, Ladyga said dog owners are typically responsible in making sure their dogs are are up-to-date on vaccines.

“They (pet owners) are not as good with their cats,” Ladyga said. “People don’t think about it — and it’s more likely for a cat to come in contact with a bat then a dog, because cats are constantly playing with things, catching small creatures.”

Although cats are at greater risk, vaccines are not required for them in Deschutes County. Dogs, however, must not only be vaccinated, but also licensed each year.

Sick bats may be seen flopping around on the ground or otherwise acting unusual. If you find a sick bat or other sick wildlife on your property, take children and pets indoors and call the ODFW at (541) 947-2950.

Under Oregon law, dogs and cats or ferrets that do not have current vaccinations and are suspected of exposure to rabies must be euthanized or placed under strict quarantine for 6 months.

Authorities emphasize that the main protection for humans is to make sure pets are vaccinated and avoid contact with stray animals and wildlife.

For more information about rabies, visit the Oregon Health Authority at http://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/DiseasesAZ/Pages/disease.aspx?did=41, or the Centers for Disease control and prevention web pages at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/ .

To report a sick bat or other sick wildlife animal that you suspect might have rabies, call the Communicable Disease Reporting Line at (541) 322-7418.