A bat with rabies attacked a pet cat in Spokane County final week – the primary recognized rabies case within the county this yr.
After receiving veterinary care, the cat is in isolation and can stay below commentary for 45 days, in line with a information launch from the Spokane Regional Health District.
A lethal virus that assaults the central nervous system, any mammal can contract rabies, however in Washington state the illness is mostly discovered amongst bats . In different states, raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes are recognized to hold rabies.
The Washington State Department of Health confirmed on Aug. 26 that the bat had rabies . It is the eighth case of rabies amongst bats within the state this yr.
Dogs, cats and ferret house owners are required to have their pets vaccinated towards rabies. Each yr, some 400-600 animals are examined for rabies in Washington state, principally bats, in line with the Department of Health. The final documented time an animal in Washington aside from a bat contracted rabies was in 2015 when a bat bit one other cat and that cat contracted rabies. It has been almost 30 years since a human in Washington contracted rabies.
Since bats are most lively at evening, the well being district recommends pet house owners carry their animals inside in a single day, hold doorways and home windows closed until there’s a display and shut pet doorways.
If an animal catches or is attacked by a bat, it’s endorsed an proprietor name the the well being district at (509) 324-1560 ext. 7.
