SNOHOMISH COUNTY, WA – Three residents in rural eastern Snohomish County are undergoing urgent post-exposure rabies treatment after a bat that flew into their home tested positive for the deadly virus.
The Encounter and Positive Test
According to the Snohomish County Health Department, the bat entered the private residence and was captured the following day. It was transported to a local wildlife center before the Washington State Public Health Laboratory officially confirmed it was positive for rabies.
The three exposed residents are currently receiving a post-exposure medical regimen, which includes human rabies immune globulin and a series of vaccine doses.
First Positive Case Since 2023
Public health officials confirmed this is Snohomish County’s first rabid bat detected since 2023, and only the second confirmed case in Washington State this year.
“Bat season has officially started,” warned Susan Babcock, a public health nurse with the department’s prevention services division, noting that bats remain the primary carriers of rabies in the state. While less than 1% of wild bats carry the virus, the disease is nearly 100% fatal once physical symptoms begin to show.
Hidden Dangers and Next Steps
Health officials are heavily emphasizing that bat bites can be incredibly tiny and entirely painless, meaning victims often do not realize they have been bitten or exposed while sleeping.
Public health staff is currently conducting follow-ups to trace any other potential human or pet exposures in the immediate area.
Crucial Safety Steps for Residents
To protect households and pets, local authorities have issued the following guidance:
- Do Not Touch: Never handle a wild bat with bare hands.
- Secure the Animal: If a bat makes contact with a person or pet, try to safely confine it without releasing it, as testing the animal is critical.
- Home Maintenance: Seal small gaps around the home, cover chimneys, and ensure all window screens are in good repair.
- Pet Vaccines: Ensure all domestic pets are completely up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.
