Rabid Bat Found in Corvallis

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and mammals, and is almost 100 percent fatal once symptoms begin.

Bats are among the common carriers of Rabies Photo courtesy: sfcdcp.org

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - Officials from Benton County Environmental Health have confirmed a dead bat found in North Corvallis has tested positive for rabies.

Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has verified the test results.

A witness reported seeing a cat with the bat in its mouth.

Benton County Environmental Health Specialists canvassed the neighborhood door-to-door to alert residents about the exposure to the cat and potential for disease.

In that process, the cat was located, and it was verified that it had been vaccinated for rabies.

According to Benton County Health Administrator Tom Eversole, residents and veterinarians should be aware other animals in North Corvallis could have been exposed to the rabies virus and should be alert to potential of signs of the disease.

“This is a good opportunity to remind pet owners they should make certain their canine and feline companions are vaccinated against rabies. When our pets are protected from rabies it provides a buffer zone of immune animals between humans and rabid wild animals such as bats,” said Eversole.

In Oregon this year, six animals have tested positive for rabies.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and mammals. It is almost 100 percent fatal once symptoms begin.

The virus is carried in the saliva of an infected animal, and transmission can occur when that animal bites, or in rare instances, scratches another.

Most of the recent human rabies cases in the United States have been caused by bites from bats.

People can help protect themselves through awareness of bat behavior and their presence.

If bitten by a bat, a person should immediately and thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water and seek medical attention.

The event should be reported to the County health department, and arrangements made to have the bat safely captured and tested for rabies.

For more information, call the Benton County Health Department at 541-766-6841.