Yamhill Health and Human Services Department
Last week there was a positive rabies case within a bat found at a residence in
Yamhill County. Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease that can spread to
people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. This provides a
reminder to stay up to date on precautions to keep your family and pets safe
from rabies.
Rabies is preventable and can be avoided by following these guidelines:
• Leave wildlife alone
• Be aware of risks within bat population
• Wash animal bites or scratches immediately with soap and water
• Make sure your pets stay up to date on vaccination (This applies to cats,
dogs & ferrets)
• Keep an eye on pets when outdoors to avoid interaction with wildlife
If you’ve been bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal (wildlife, pet or stray),
you should talk with a healthcare or public health professional to determine your
risk for rabies. Wash any wounds immediately with soap and water and then plan
to see a healthcare provider. Something to keep in mind, unlike most other
animals that carry rabies, many types of bats have very small teeth which may
leave marks that disappear quickly. If you are unsure, seek medical advice to be
safe. Whenever possible, the bat should be captured and sent to a laboratory for
rabies testing. Do not freeze bats as this makes testing for rabies difficult.
