22 bats test positive for rabies in Oregon this year, matching state record
OREGON (KTVZ) -- State health officials are warning residents to avoid contact with bats after 22 of the animals tested positive for rabies in Oregon so far this year. The Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are urging people to keep themselves and their pets away from dead or dying wildlife.
The 2026 count already matches the state record for the number of bats testing positive for rabies in a single year. While bats are the natural carrier for the virus in Oregon, they account for more human exposures in the United States than any other species.
Emilio DeBess is a public health veterinarian at the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division. He noted that increased contact with bats directly correlates to a higher risk of rabies exposure.
“Unfortunately, when people find a dead or dying bat, they may pick it up with their hands because they want to help it, or maybe they're just curious,” DeBess said. “When a bat or other wild animal is sick or dying with rabies, there's an increased chance they will bite or transmit the virus in other ways.”
Colin Gillin, state wildlife veterinarian for the ODFW, explained that Oregon bats typically avoid people and eat roughly 1,000 insects every hour. He emphasized that these animals are essential for agriculture and forest systems.
“Bats provide important ecosystem services in Oregon, but also globally with insect control, seed dispersal and pollination of specific plants, supporting agriculture and forest systems,” Gillin said. “And like many animals that can carry disease, bats can also prevent or suppress disease by reducing mosquitoes and other vectors that carry human and animal pathogens.”
In 2023, 20 bats tested positive for the virus in Oregon. The previous peak occurred in 2006, when 22 bats and two foxes were found to be carrying the disease. While bats have carried rabies in their populations for thousands of years, officials noted that they generally carry the virus at a very low level and rarely bite unless they are sick or feel threatened.
Under Oregon law, bats are protected wildlife, making it illegal to harm or keep them. Residents are encouraged to teach children to avoid all contact with bats and other wildlife, including when hiking. For homeowners, protecting a residence involves covering vents, chimneys and other entry points with screens. If bats are already roosting in an attic, the ODFW recommends calling a wildlife control operator, as the agency does not respond to removal requests.
Pet safety is also a priority and officials advise that all dogs and cats maintain up-to-date vaccinations regardless of whether they stay indoors or outdoors. Unvaccinated pets that come into contact with a bat may be subject to a four-month quarantine or euthanasia.
If a bat is found indoors, it should not be released because it may have already exposed a person or pet to the virus. If safe to do so, a container or box should be placed over the animal. For bats found outdoors, action is only required if a person or pet was bitten or scratched before the animal died. In those cases, the bat should be covered with a bucket or box to keep it in place for assessment.
Anyone bitten or scratched by an animal that may have rabies should report the exposure immediately to local animal regulation services or a public health authority. Medical care should be sought immediately from a health care provider or veterinarian. If multiple sick or dead bats are observed in a specific area, the sightings should be reported to the ODFW.
Find additional information about rabies and bats at:
- OHA’s bats and rabies website
- ODFW’s bats website
- “Help Oregon's bats with a bat-friendly home” article (ODFW)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s rabies website
