Skagit County health officials have confirmed the first rabies case of the year after a family discovered an infected bat inside their home. The animal tested positive for the deadly virus on Tuesday, August 12.
According to public health staff, the bat was found in a small child’s bedroom, and the family could not be certain whether the child or any household pets had been in contact with it. Officials said the family is now receiving medical care as a precaution.
Rabies, described by health experts as “a fatal disease in both people and animals,” is spread through bites, scratches, or contact with saliva from an infected animal. In Washington, bats are the only known mammals to carry rabies, though most do not carry the virus and serve important roles as predators and pollinators.
This case marks the fourth rabid bat confirmed in the state this year and the first in Skagit County since 2023.
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) emphasizes that rabies exposure can be avoided. Officials advise against handling or feeding wild animals, particularly bats, and recommend sealing homes to prevent bats from entering, as they can fit through openings as small as half an inch. Pet owners are urged to keep cats, dogs, and ferrets up to date on rabies vaccinations, with livestock vaccinations also encouraged. Parents should teach children to avoid touching bats or other wild animals.
