Health

Rabies-Positive Bat Exposed Residents in Another County

Monday, August 10, 2026

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A bat in a room where individuals slept tested positive for rabies, according to the Northeast Tri County Health District (NTHCD). The exposed individuals are residents of another Washington county, not Ferry County.

NTHCD coordinated with the Washington State Department of Health to ensure the affected residents began post-exposure treatment. Rabies is almost always fatal if untreated, but prompt treatment prevents infection. The district emphasized that bats in Washington are the only animals known to carry rabies and urged residents to vaccinate pets and prevent bat contact.

Residents should contact NTHCD at 509-684-2262 Option 2 if they have bat contact. The health district reminded people to keep doors and windows closed at night, cover attic vents, and secure pet doors to avoid bat encounters.

📄 Source: County Government — https://netchd.org/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/186

Source receipts11 of 15 claims supported · 73%

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A bat in a room where individuals slept tested positive for rabies“Test results confirmed the bat was positive for rabies.”
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The test result was reported by the Northeast Tri County Health District (NTHCD)No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The exposed individuals are residents of another Washington county“The individuals who were exposed are residents of another Washington county.”
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The exposed individuals are not residents of Ferry CountyNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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NTHCD coordinated with the Washington State Department of Health“The District has coordinated with that county and the Washington State Department of Health to support follow-up recommendations for treatment.”
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The affected residents began post-exposure treatment“The individuals who were exposed are residents of another Washington county. The District has coordinated with that county and the Washington State Department of Health to support follow-up recommendations for treatment. Rabies can be prevented when post-exposure treatment is started before symptoms appear, and the exposed individuals have begun Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.”
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Rabies is almost always fatal if untreated“Rabies is a virus that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal if untreated.”
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Prompt treatment prevents infection“Rabies can be prevented when post-exposure treatment is started before symptoms appear, and the exposed individuals have begun Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.”
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The district emphasized that bats in Washington are the only animals known to carry rabies“bats are the only animals in Washington state known to carry rabies.”
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The district urged residents to vaccinate petsNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The district urged residents to prevent bat contactNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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Residents should contact NTHCD at 509-684-2262 Option 2 if they have bat contact“Contact the District at 509-684-2262 Option 2 for additional instructions.”
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The health district reminded people to keep doors and windows closed at night“Keep all doors and windows closed unless screened.”
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The health district reminded people to cover attic vents“Cover attic vents and cap chimneys.”
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The health district reminded people to secure pet doors to avoid bat encounters“Close pet doors to prevent pets from going outside or bringing a bat inside the house, particularly at night.”