Sisters bat found with rabies

The Deschutes County Public Health Department reports that a bat found in Sisters has tested positive for rabies. Confirmatory tests were performed at the Oregon State Public Health Lab after a Deschutes County resident noticed a dead bat in his dog's mouth.The dog was current on the rabies vaccine and will undergo quarantine for 45 days after revaccination.

"Rabies is transmitted through the bites of an infected animal, and while post-exposure vaccination is effective," Deschutes County Communicable Disease Program Supervisor Heather Kaisner says, the best plan is prevention. "People should avoid contact with bats and vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies. While bats play a valuable role in nature, contact with humans should be avoided."

Sick bats may be seen flopping around on the ground or otherwise acting unusual. If you find a sick bat or other sick wildlife on your property, take children and pets indoors and call the ODFW at 541-947-2950 and call the Communicable Disease Reporting Line at 541-322-7418.

To protect your pet, make sure rabies vaccinations are up to date. Emilio DeBess, the state public-health veterinarian, advises that dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies at three to six months of age. Initial vaccination takes about two weeks to provide peak protection for your pet. After initial vaccination, a booster is required in one year and then every three years after that.

Under Oregon law, dogs, cats, and ferrets that do not have current vaccinations and are suspected of exposure to rabies must be euthanized or placed under strict quarantine for six months.

According to the Oregon Health Authority, bats are the most common carriers of rabies in this state. So far this year three other bats have tested positive (in Benton, Josephine, and Washington Counties). The last bat positive for rabies in Deschutes County was in October of 2014. Authorities emphasize that the main protection for humans is to make sure pets are vaccinated and avoid contact with stray animals and wildlife.