Health Alert: Deschutes County issues rabies alert after bat exposure in Sisters

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Deschutes County Public Health is urging residents to take precautions after a dog in Sisters came into contact with a bat that tested positive for rabies. The public health advisory emphasizes the serious nature of the viral disease and the importance of preventative measures for both people and pets.

Rabies is a serious viral disease that can spread to people and pets through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. While post-exposure vaccination is effective, prevention is the best method to protect families and their pets. Oregon law requires rabies vaccinations for all dogs and cats.

Residents are advised to avoid contact with bats, whether they appear healthy, sick, alive or dead. It is important to keep children and pets away from bats and to avoid feeding or handling stray animals or wildlife.

Pet owners must ensure their animals' rabies vaccinations are up to date. The first vaccination for dogs and cats is required between three and six months old, followed by a first booster one year later. Subsequent booster shots are necessary every three years. Unvaccinated pets that may have been exposed to rabies must either be euthanized or kept in strict quarantine for four months.

Bats play an important role in the ecosystem. Not all bats carry rabies, but they are the animal most often reported with rabies in the United States. To ensure safety, people should avoid contact with them.

If a bat is observed active during the day, inside a building or on the ground and unable to fly, individuals should keep children and pets away. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife can be contacted at 541-388-6363 or a local wildlife control operator.

If a person or pet has contact with a bat, or if an animal bites someone, it should be reported immediately to Deschutes County Animal Control at 541-693-6911 or Deschutes County Environmental Health at 541-317-3114. For more information about rabies, residents can visit the Oregon Health Authority website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.